Samples From an Empty Head.

Where are all these outspoken "Geniuses" in real life?  You know the ones, those people who 'really do know it all'?  I mean, they're all over the internet, but where are they in REAL LIFE?  Well, if you're VERY VERY LUCKY you'll be spared actually having to meet or talk or interact with them.  Trust me, I know.  And what's worse, there's no real 'block' button to shut them up.

I have opinions, just like anyone.  I don't think my way is the only way, and just because I don't agree with someone doesn't mean I think their opinion or stance or whatever is always wrong.  I mean, if you tell me you're a murderer, then yeah... I'm definitely going to think you're wrong for that.  Given the obvious, let's set that aside and agree that we understand what I'm talking about here, murderers and baby killers, etc. aside.

I've dealt with the proverbial 'know-it-all.'  Not just once, but a couple of times in my life, and I suspect there are others whom I'm not around enough to really nail down that they're 'one of those people.'  But my experiences with the now-it-all types is pretty dark, ugly, and.. I have to admit, the craziest damn crap I've ever had to deal with.  In a perfect world we would be able to just turn off that part of their personality so we can try and glean something good from them.  I tried this, btw, and it just doesn't work.

Note: I'm going to refer to 'know-it-all' as NIA going forward....

A NIA is usually not a very nice person, and they seem to spend an extraordinary time trying to make other people feel stupid and often saying just as much if they're a narcissist.  So much wasted energy, if you ask me.  But whatever floats their boat.  What I also found is that they're "Wiki Savvy," and what I mean by that is that in all their 'all-knowingness' they actually dig information from online sources and sometimes commit the information to memory.  Few NIA's are scholars, and many don't have even the most rudimentary college degree. But that's okay, because it's not about a piece of paper anyway.  Truly educated, smart people RARELY waste time putting others down.

A high IQ doesn't mean your smart or informed, it simply means you're intelligent... or have the capacity to be.

I know my IQ for a reason, but I don't make it a topic of conversation with everyone I meet.  In fact, few people know my IQ.  The true 'geniuses' I know and respect are those who don't use their IQ score to bully others.  It's a huge red flag if you do meet someone who claims to have a high IQ and they spend most of their oxygen touting how great they are, how smart they are, how much better they are than someone else, while often ridiculing or criticizing others or the person they're talking to.   This is a dead giveaway that, despite a high IQ, that person ISN'T in the least 'smart.'

William Raspberry once said, "Smart isn't something you ARE, but it's something you can GET."  And yes, I learned about him and that quote while in college.  Yes, I have a degree and graduated with honors.  My IQ would've still been the same had I not attended college or opened my mind, and that's the point I'm making here.

Bottom line, many bullies are low IQ.  Sometimes, bullies have IQ's in the gifted or genius range.  But the one thing bullies have in common is that they all are self-important and possess an edematous ego.  Sloshing about they will attempt to lay waste to anyone they feel is a threat to their grandiose position, a position they will fight to the death to uphold and maintain.  This is far from 'smart.'

I have to wonder what's really inside the minds of those who believe they know it all?  I wonder if they have a genuine or original thought... ever?  Most of the time what's really said is simply regurgitations from other sources that support their stance and position.  In other words, the only thing they seem to offer are samples from an empty head, thoughts that came from somewhere else and not of their own making.

Hey, I may not know it all, but I can at least think and function without Wiki or dictionary.com...

Because I Can.

It's inevitable, isn't it?  Social networking is like trying to have a picnic beneath a buzzing hornets nest.  We know the situation is precarious, especially when so many have now succumbed to chronic butt-hurt, and yet we persevere, post to our little heart's content, and laugh at the wrath some things inspire from unstable people.  We try to understand, and some will try to edit what they post in order to 'keep down the drama.'  Thing is, the drama is on their side, not ours.  I mean, getting bent out of shape over what someone posts is a lot like being offended by the furniture in your neighbor's house... and saying so.  It's rude, and it's inappropriate.

So why do people do it if it's just going to stir up trouble?  Well, the answer to the question is in the question itself.  Some people are addicted to drama, and you can spot them readily because they'll be the ones complaining constantly, and in their passive/aggressive manner, about everyone else's "drama."  I know you guys have seen this.

I'm always a little amazed, watching them melt-down, lose control, judge others for speaking their minds, all the while trying desperately trying to blur the line between 'victim' and 'bully.'  Know the type I'm talking about?  These are the people who will call you an idiot while claiming they're above such behavior.

It's perplexing.

Here's the thing: Social networking doesn't come with a carte blanche card to attack other people's views, etc.  You have a choice to keep going if you see a post you don't like, and most stable, intelligent people will do just that.  And yes, there are exceptions, such as someone outright attacking, bullying, posting personal or sensitive information about you, etc.  I mean, by all means.. call them out on it if they do that, and be sure to block their sorry asses when you're done.  Nobody likes a bully.

Now, you also have to practice what you preach.  I choose not to comment if I don't like something, and I refrain when possible the urge to behave in passive/aggressive ways.

I personally don't believe we should censor our speech just to make other people more comfortable.  DO know that I'm NOT including bullying in this, because that will NEVER be okay.  Not ever.  But outside of bullying, we can say what we want, given it's within keeping with said SN TOS.

My personal experience in this current political climate has been that the chronically butt-hurt come out in force when I post something that isn't in keeping with their own views.  One person in particular has taken to some very nasty commenting on posts he doesn't agree with, and often it's simply posts in support of who my chosen presidential candidate is.  Now why would anyone have to vomit nastiness on a positive post?  Who knows?  Who cares?  My posts on my page aren't open to bullying and nastiness.  I will either delete your posts or block you.  Enough is enough.  For the record, I've not yet blocked this other person, but that could change quickly after today's nastiness.

When has free speech turned into 'free to bully'?  I don't have the answer to this question either, but maybe it's more a rhetorical reference than anything else.  Either way, some people really don't understand how stubborn I can be when it comes to another trying to control what I do, how I think, how I feel, and so on.  Yeah, I can assure you.. you really don't want to poke the bear like that.

Bullying doesn't work on me, and you'll find quite the opposite response than what you hope for.  But then, I think these types of drama queens actually WANT the drama, which is why they spend SO much time tossing insults.  Why else would they do it if that's the only payoff?

So today this person went on a rant, tossing in character assassination remarks and such, and quite a few at that.  But the main complaint is that he didn't want to see political posts and actually stated that if you're posting more than 2-3 per day that your friends are "Fucking sick of you."  Well, what he thinks was a clever cut down and shaming tactic I see only as a challenge, and one I accepted right off.  Today is going to be a day when the political posts will continue.. all.. day.. long.

I don't give in to bullies, who are really just cowards anyway.  My page, my posts, and anyone who doesn't like it can click the 'unfollow' or 'unfriend' button!  You can't bully me.  You can't censor me.  And you can't control me.

Challenge me, and you may be surprised at my response.  And remember, you can't un-ring that bell.

I also practice what I preach: if I see a post I don't like... I move on.  Having the restraint to NOT react is empowering, because when you do as that other person did today you show weakness, an inability to control your own emotions and behavior.  Why would anyone willingly do that?  There are venues outside of social media to air your grievances if needed.  Hell, I have blogs where I can speak my mind and get things off my chest WITHOUT drawing attention to the person I may be talking about.  Having been at the receiving end of abuse and character assassination I choose to refrain from going down that road if possible.  But I assure you, I'm NOT afraid to stand up for myself; that's a completely different thing altogether anyway.

As they say... haters gonna hate. ;p