I'm special

[low_delta]

You're special too. You and I are unique. And we're unique in the exact same way.

Interesting paradox, huh? I used to work with someone who was somewhat developmentally disabled. He was upset by my suggestion that I was just as special as he was. I guess his parents had told him that he was special, and he naturally assumed that he was better than anyone else.

We all have talents that make us special, but some of our talents make us better people than others. For example, let's look at Dick Cheney. He's a very smart guy. He couldn't have gotten where he is without certain talents. But what is he like as a human being? I have my opinions. Do I respect the guy? No. Not even because he's really smart? No. I'm somewhat impressed by that, but does it engender respect? No. Do I respect him? Only as far as I respect any other human being - I respect his right to do as he pleases (insofar as it does not cause me trouble).

Everyone has talents. That makes everyone special, which makes no one special. :-/  I admire everyone for their talents. I admire no one for having talents.

Having said that, I don't always notice people's talents. Some of them are obvious. I have quite a few artists on my friends page, and I am not only impressed by the talent, but am grateful for it. However, unless it's something I study, I'm not usually aware of it. And even if it is, I can't always conjure this awareness when asked. Why is that? No idea. It's just how I am.

I tend to like people, not for what they can do, but for how they are. Just don't ask me how they are. ;-) I thought about all my friends, and I can't think of many specific reasons why I like any of them. Strange, no? In most cases, all I can think of are common interests. That, and familiarity.

There's also a lack of negative qualities. Like, he doesn't treat people badly. But that's generally not a specific thing. Which brings us back to the previously mentioned subject of whether someone is a good human being. That's the only thing that I feel engenders true respect.

Comments

Define Divine

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

It is a sticky wicket to nail down what you're attempting to describe. Respect is not given, it is earned. Being "special" has varying meanings. We can all be special in different ways, which could mean that we can all be special. She is a talented beekeeper; he is a talented bookkeeper.

Friendships can be based on any number of factors... Geography, mutual acquaintences, shared experiences, happenstance.

The definition of a "good human being" is the crux of it all. Is Dick Cheney a good human being? Depends on who you ask.

I always thought that if there was a heaven and hell, the most equitable way to determine whether a soul would go to either would be to have a vote. In my original concept, everyone who had some sort of direct contact with the person in their lives would get a ballot. If you got the proper count, you would go where the majority suggested.

Then, I ammended it to permit those that either knew of or knew about the person to vote as well, only their votes would be counted only half as much as the "direct contact" votes. Someone like Johnny Carson, who was a bastard to his wives and brutal to his family for the most part, would get a bump up from the popularity of his on screen persona. But would it be enough to get him through the Pearly Gates? Only St. Pete knows for sure!

Defining is the most difficult part, and the most important. With no definition, it's meaningless.

Re: Define Divine

[zaecus.livejournal.com]

I've found myself discussing respect on more than one occassion in the past few months, and the various ideas people have on it.

My personal idea is that respect should be given initially, then earned. If I know nothing about someone, I should respect them. Now, five minutes after that, I could easily have learned everything I need to know to withdraw that respect.

The problem, for me, comes from the idea that many seem to hold without explaining it that there are different types of respect. For example, someone in a position of authority (according to some I have the misfortune of having to deal with) deserves respect no matter what, but they seem to not be talking about what i call respect. They seem to be talking about politeness and/or fear. I'm not proficient at either one of those. Once someone loses my respect, I tend to show it.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

A person in a position of authority deserves deference (I think would be a proper term). I think that's what people mean when they say we should respect authority. When a police officer tells you to get on your knees and put your hands on your head, you do it. Even if he's a complete bastard.

As far as actual respect goes, I respect all people the same. Every person deserves to be treated as a human being. Every person deserves that basic amount of decency. He should be allowed the same deference that I expect to recieve. Be treated politely, and be allowed his rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Of course, some people have abused this, and I will treat them with less respect, but I'm talking about severe abuses. Complete and utter continuous fucking asshole territory.

nice sentence!

[ravengirl.livejournal.com]

Complete and utter continuous fucking asshole territory.

i'm sorry. i didn't mean to be bad. *snort*

nice icon!

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

*snort*

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

About being special: When I was a kid in Jewish Sunday School and learned that Jews are "The Chosen People" - chosen by God - I thought that was awfully arrogant and disrespectful of non-Jews. I thought: Don't people of most religions think they're Chosen, or special? I just couldn't buy it. Although belonging to a specific religious group - or nonsectarian group, for that matter - gives people a sense of being special, to me it sets different groups apart more than bringing people in general together. Ya know?