07/31/2022
I got to thinking after watching the Netflix documentary "The Most Hated Man On The Internet" about how people use phrases like "It's only business, it's nothing personal" are used by people to shield themselves from responsibility for unethical behavior and try to get a pass for treating people poorly. As a small business owner, I understand we need to make money to keep our businesses alive and get by, even prosper. Friends or family or others might want to play on certain weaknesses to take advantage and get goods or services for free, and it makes sense to put up boundaries to protect against this. But if you are intentionally overlooking damage you are causing in people's lives in return for empty returns like fame and riches, or provide a platform for harm to be done by others and tell yourself things like "If I didn't do it someone else would," you're one of the reasons people hate people so much. Exploiting vulnerability is one of the more despicable traits a person can embrace, especially under the guise of "well, the other party consented." That's what weak people do. It doesn't take strength to beat up someone weaker than you, scam an elderly person, or bully someone you know won't fight back. It just screams to the world what a sad little person you are, and I hope someday you can grow beyond it. I say this a person who spent too many years being an angry, self-pitying young man with a fragile ego, and I don't wish that existence on anyone. I started to look down on other people for being weak, asleep, lazy, etc; projection is a b***h. It was my martial arts training and the people I met during it that helped me break out of that small-minded world-view, and it is my highest hope I can help to steer others to a better life, and failing that, never have them fall victim to self-proclaimed wolves who are every bit the sheep they pride themselves on preying on. Training with the right people will strip away just about every illusion and delusion you have of yourself. It can be scary and overwhelming but completely worth it in the end. Get out there and train.
