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Be Kind to Those Offended By It       printable version
16 Jul 2020: posted by the editor - Health, Opinion, International

By David Swanson
"Good Morning! Would you mind staying a safe distance away?"

"Hi! Nice mask! Could you please wear it on your face instead of your chin?"

Helping people reduce the risk of spreading a deadly disease requires being willing to offend them.

And as they long for a return to normalcy, you should be preparing to be a lot more offensive.

"That sounds delicious. Does it have any dead animals in it?"

"How's it going? Could you please not carry a gun around here?"

These are comments of the same sort as "put your mask on" in that they are aimed at helping the people you're confronting survive, whether they like it or not. The methane and other destruction and pollution of livestock will kill them, not just you. The guns increase the risk of gun death for everyone, especially gun owners.

But if you want to get really out-of-step, if you want to offend in the way actually needed, if you want to truly serve everyone's interests whether they will stand for it or not, then you have to disrupt, protest, and change public policy.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, all of these people will gladly get off your lawn and plant it with wild flowers when you support divestment from oil producers and weapons dealers."

"Nice offices, Congress Members. You can enter them as soon as you agree to end fossil fuel subsidies and shift $400 billion a year from wars to a Green New Deal."

"No, sir, I do understand that you're just trying to get to your job manufacturing nuclear weapons, but we're just trying to give your children a chance to live."

These, too, are acts of kindness toward those disrupted and inconvenienced and pressured to change their ways. And they'll hate you for it. But that doesn't mean you need to forget that you are being kind to them. That doesn't mean you need to become hateful or start wishing them harm or making jokes about "natural selection" taking care of the non-mask-wearers - a comment easily as cruel and ignorant as not wearing a mask.

The essence of nonviolent activism is helping people who do not want to be helped. Far from hating them, it requires actually listening to them. Sometimes some of them will know something that you don't know. Acting on the best information, whether popular or not, requires constantly searching for better information. But it does not require inaction or politeness that permits injustice and destruction to continue.

"That looks like a really nice Bible you're thumping, but outgrowing childish ancient myths would give us a better chance at survival in the times ahead."

"I'm aware there's an even worse political party than yours, but we need changes neither of those parties will stand for unless you help us challenge both of them."

These are fighting words. These are courting hatred, violence, ostracism, and mockery. But they are not doing so intentionally. They are doing so out of independent reliance on facts, and out of caring for the interests of others as you best understand them.

For better or worse, we're all in the same boat. Making fun of the jackasses drilling holes in their end of the boat isn't a recipe for survival. Asking boat-patch-haters to start patching up the holes is. One approach is easier and less confrontational. The other is actually kinder.

Perhaps someday someone may recognize that you were being kind to them, but I wouldn't count on it. It certainly isn't the point. Nor is getting such recognition from their great-grandchildren the point. The existence of their great-grandchildren is the point.

Join David Swanson's  list here.

David Swanson is an author, activist, journalist, and radio host. He is director of WorldBeyondWar.org and campaign coordinator for RootsAction.org.

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AzerNews - News from Azerbaijan, Business, Energy, Analysis

GPT-4 neural network provides more convincing answers than humans during dialogue

A joint research team of European and American scientists has discovered that OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model is 64% more effective than real human users in responding to opponents' arguments and defending its position during socio-political debates—particularly when it has access to personal data about its debate partner, Azernews reports.

Chinese Central Bank lower annual base rate to 3%

The People's Bank of China (the country's central bank) has lowered the loan prime rate (LPR) for first-class borrowers on one-year loans by 0.1 percentage points, bringing it down to 3%, Azernews reports.

One year after launch, users regret purchasing Apple Vision Pro

A year after the release of Apple's Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, early adopters are expressing regret over their £3,500 investment. Complaints about discomfort, limited functionality, and poor resale value have surfaced, raising questions about the device's long-term viability, Azernews reports.

Nvidia launches RTX 5060 to less-than-anticipated fanfare

Nvidia has officially launched the GeForce RTX 5060, the latest entry in its RTX 50-series graphics card lineup, with a suggested retail price of $299, Azernews reports.

Japan wants to launch test thermonuclear power plant in 2030s.

The Japanese government has revealed plans to test a thermonuclear fusion power plant in the 2030s, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to lead in the field of clean energy, Azernews reports.

China's smartphone exports to United States in April fell to lowest level since 2011

Exports of smartphones — including Apple Inc. devices — from China to the United States dropped in April to their lowest level in over a decade, highlighting growing disruptions in global tech supply chains, Azernews reports.

Winners of “Girl’s Advancement in STEM” program announced

The “Huma Quşu” Educational Support Fund in partnership with Azercell, has announced the winners of the “Girl’s Advancement in STEM” scholarship program. As a result of the selection process, scholarships were awarded to 10 outstanding students

Japan's Honda to reduce production of electric vehicles and focus on hybrids

On Tuesday, Honda Motor Co. announced it is cutting back on its planned investments in electric vehicles (EVs) due to slowing global demand. Instead, the company will focus on meeting the increasing consumer interest in hybrid vehicles by rolling out new models, Azernews reports.

Too little, too late - Armenia enters decade-old Ashgabat transport corridor project

Armenia has been seeking ways to emerge from its self-isolation for some time now. Lately, ideas and projects such as the Middle Corridor, Zangazur Corridor, and North-South Corridor have come to the forefront, with Azerbaijan playing an important role. This initiative has found itself as a trend in Yerevan for almost half a decade.

Netflix plans to integrate artificial Intelligence advertising into TV series

In 2026, the streaming service will begin showing ads created by artificial intelligence, which will be displayed either in the middle of a show or when a user presses the pause button on their ad-supported plans, Azernews reports.

TotalEnergies secures 20-year LNG deal and stake in low-emission Canadian project

TotalEnergies has signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Ksi Lisims LNG for the purchase of 2 Mtpa of LNG for 20 years from the future liquefaction plant, subject to the final investment decision of the project, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan Cultural Center unveils Seyid Azim Shirvani Auditorium at Uzbek University

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan is actively organizing events dedicated to celebrating the literary legacy of Seyid Azim Shirvani on the occasion of his 190th anniversary, Azernews reports.

National Art Museum marks Museum Day with tribute to Mirza Gadim Iravani

Azerbaijan National Art Museum has marked International Museum Day with an Open Day event that drew large crowds and sparked great interest among visitors of all ages, Azernews reports.

ADA University launches leadership development program for Ministry of Economy management

ADA University’s Advanced Qualification Program has officially launched a Leadership Program aimed at enhancing the managerial capabilities of the leadership team at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy, Azernews reports.

Iran to import power from Turkiye and Azerbaijan for industry

Iran's large industrial plants have been granted licenses to import electricity from Azerbaijan and Turkiye to meet their energy needs.

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