Never Argue with Stupid

Actions speak louder than words. Or do they?*

I can remember when I decided to stop arguing on the internet.

At the time, I lived and studied in Grenoble, FR and found myself involved in yet another tedious online dispute on a message board.

Remember message boards, kids?

Though I remember the topic, it doesn’t matter.

I was spending my time—my early twenties, my youth, my energy—debating with an online stranger.

Why?

I, like so many others, enjoy being right.

In fact, I FREAKING LOVE being right.

But…so what?

The world is populated with billions of people who are ‘right.’

I know this reads like an apology for moral relativism, but that’s not my intent.

My goal is simply to point out that arguing with people is never fruitful, especially when everyone is so convinced of their rightness at all times.

And the times it actually yields something? Not worth all that was lost in various capitals (social, political, family, etc) in prior arguments

Now, I do see the merit of debate in society.

Especially in the current social landscape, meaningful dialogue is necessary—nay, it’s vital to the health of the republic.

But even that is still only words.

The thing is that we are surrounded by words. Shoot, even this post is comprised chiefly of words.

But words are just that…words. A compilation of letters and sounds to symbolize something. Well, not ‘something.’ but something.

Words are the means to an end—not the end itself.

The next time you’re in AIM and feel the burning urge—take your antibiotics.

And the next time you desire to comment/tweet/missive, just wait.

Is there anything you can DO instead?

Maybe you won’t convince that internet stranger, but perhaps your action will be the turning point for someone else.

We really don’t know the impact of our actions in the long run—one of the saddest aspects of the human condition.

But I bet we can assume the legacy of online disputes: there is none.

Wow, that wasn’t an amusing post at all! Well, find funnier posts and stupider jokes here.

*yes, they do