At the UTA conference a few weeks ago Anne Bogart (she is the fabulous lady who gave us the 7 points of advice from last Wednesday's blog) said something that struck a chord with me. I want to see what you think.
Certainty leads to violence.
In other words, when someone is so sure they are right it could lead to violence. Or if you are certain someone else is wrong, you could do violence to them.
Ms. Bogart followed it up with: Tell the truth and don't worry about the outcome.
What do you get from this? I think it is a great point. It doesn't matter how others take your words or actions. If they don't believe you or if they don't like you, you've still just done your best. Leave it at that. We don't need to defend ourselves. All will answer for their actions. On the same note, I don't have to fight against those who are "wrong". Even if I am certain they are wrong.
Does this make any sense? What do you think?
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I agree that arguing is a waste of time. If someone else is so "certain" about their point of view and you're certain about your own, there's no point, right? Just agree to disagree.
ReplyDeleteI like this thought a lot. The other day my hubby and I were talking about the all-consuming power that is anger. It amazes me to see otherwise pleasant people turned into vicious human beings because of hate, anger, and certainty.
ReplyDeleteNow a lot of times I don't think it necessarily leads to violence, but it can lead to a poison in your life that is hard to get rid of.
Let's all Let it be :)
I agree with Deb. It can lead to poison. And it is a poison that hurts and spreads. If it isn't arrested it could lead to violence.
ReplyDeleteNow, for all you writers, this is good. This can help you create a great advasary. oooh and hmmmm. All the possibilities of nastiness in someone who is certain they are right. "Righteous Anger" muwahahahaha
I learned this lesson at work this week. You can only advise up to a point, and if someone doesn't share your opinion, you let it go and let them see how their choices pan out. I am one who tends to want to continue to plead my case. But, I have never resorted to violence. Okay, once in Jr. High I got into to a pushing match-girlie fight with someone, but that is it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, sometimes violence is necessary, like when fighting evil dictators.
I think it depends on what you're arguing about, doesn't it? Like Blush said...what about the evil dictators? Or is it possible to lead a non-violent life in the face of obvious wrongs? In short, I'm much more likely to duke it out than not.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising to some, I know...
So not surprisingly I both agree and disagree.
ReplyDeleteCertainty can lead to violence as demostrated with most altercations and wars.
However, certainty can also lead to peace. As in the example of the Savior. He is a great example of someone who told the truth and let others find their own way to it. Much Eastern philsophy teaches the peace of conviction and restraint. That might help you write a really great protagonist. The same potential flaw of Certainty exhibited in evil violent form and foiled by the more peaceful restrained approach. Hmmmm. I'm seeing the Yin and the Yang plot already.