Lately, I’ve been wondering how to channel my anger. I know the (positive) solution: writing about it. There are other – negative – solutions, like resorting to violence. These solutions don’t match my character. More and more, I’m understanding the link between (perceived) injustice and violence. Hence, a follow-up on my 2016 blog on anger management.
My feeling of injustice is rooted in the fact that (at least) 99.9% of our population is suffering the consequences of a corona approach aimed at the 0.1% of patients and casualties. In other words: 999 versus 1. Initially, I did have a micro view, rooted in empathy for the 0.1%. Then I realised that empathy for the 99.9% is more appropriate. Hence, my current macro view.
At times, this feeling of injustice is infuriating me. I know I must channel my anger as else it will take over, and move me towards the Dark Side. Fortunately, I live close to a forest. Hence, tranquility is always near. Moreover, the evening curfew has reduced outside noise to zero.
Anger is the 2nd stage in Elisabeth Kübler-Ross‘ theory on the 5 stages of processing grief, being Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance – or DABDA. In my blogs, I’ve concluded that these five steps also apply to Change. A virus pandemic qualifies as major Change.
I assumed I had accepted that my macro view is the minority perspective. However, the public perception on the pandemic is (slowly) shifting from micro to macro. I assume my (perceived) shift made me revisit my earlier acceptance. Hence, I’m back at DABDA stage 2: Anger.
On 17 March 2021, the Dutch general election will take place. Interestingly, the Dutch PM now expects a need for a grand coalition; just like I expected in my 3 December 2020 blog. Hence, for tactical reasons, I should revisit my recent blog How to make a choice in a moral dilemma.
Like the song lyrics below, I’m a lover and not a fighter. I cannot recall a single demonstration I’ve ever attended for any cause. I believe in pragmatism; not in ideology. Pragmatism creates doubt, uncertainty, progress and learning. Ideology blinds our judgement and creates a tunnel vision.
Hence, this quote by Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988), American theoretical physicist:
“We absolutely must leave room for doubt or there is no progress and there is no learning. There is no learning without having to pose a question. And a question requires doubt. People search for certainty. But there is no certainty. People are terrified — how can you live and not know? It is not odd at all. You only think you know, as a matter of fact. And most of your actions are based on incomplete knowledge and you really don’t know what it is all about, or what the purpose of the world is, or know a great deal of other things. It is possible to live and not know.”
I’m a Lover Not a Fighter (1964) by the Kinks
artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
[Verse 3]
Well I can roar like a lion, I can sting like a bee
But some times I think, baby, I’ve got rabbit blood in me
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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