As a general rule, I try really hard to see the good in people.   But let’s be honest, in today’s world, that can be difficult.  Thankfully, the vast majority of people I deal with are at the very least pleasant and reasonably intelligent.  Most have been taught basic respect for others and in most cases, some manners.  Most people are civil – at least to your face.  I make a effort to reciprocate. That’s how society works, no?

Social protocol (or lack thereof) on Facebook is a different animal all together. God bless you, if you dare, click on a comments section of a Facebook posting about, well, pretty much anything (other than kittens or a cocktail).   Warning: This comes with its own set of risks.  One can quickly lose all faith in humanity if one is not careful. Why would anyone want to do this to themselves, you ask.  Curiosity.  To gauge the social climate.  Entertainment.  Masochism.

Although I have been spending less and less time on social media, bashing my head against the Wall of Idiocy, I made the mistake yesterday of venturing into the comments section of a story on our local newspaper’s page.  I really wish I hadn’t.  I ended up in the fetal position for the remainder of the evening.  My take-away from that experience – the majority of people who live in my area and post on social media are reprehensible. Stupid. Vicious. Vindictive. Racist (racism is big in these parts). Hypocritical. Vile.  Frightening. Embarrassing.  Facts, statistics, and verifiable, credible sources mean nothing to these people.  Common decency means nothing to these people. It’s horrifying.

I’ve learned my lesson, for the time being anyway.

I’m no longer naive enough to think I can reason with the unreasonable.

I am not the jackass whisperer. (I prefer stronger language, actually.)