I call it the "Yes Man" syndrome, and see it often in blogs and LJ.
Someone posts complaining about this and that. They get a ton of responses saying "yeah, that sucks". But, never take any action to change that suckiness. And since a lot of people are supporting their wining they get warm and fuzzy feelings, removing the desire to change.
I used to wonder how many times someone would say 'my life sucks' before trying to change their life. I think it's culturally hard for Americans to take responsibility for themselves.
"Basically everything is everyone else's fault and I have no responsibility for how sucky my life is -- waah waah waah."
Umm, yeah... You can't change the economy or the prices of things, but people always have a choice. Especially in the United States! It may not be the easiest or the most "fun" or glamorous, but it is a choice. Some jobs that are nasty and gross pay better. Some of those jobs have better hours.
I remember one speech where Bill Gates said that nobody should be too proud to work at McDonalds or similar places because those are jobs. If someone is in a place where they can work... they should, IMHO. If you need money, go out and earn it.
I know a good many apathetic people... where life just happens to them. Where they stay in their place because someone "wants" them there... and then they complain about it.... So... CHANGE IT! Do something. Even children have that ability. Instead of entitlement it is empowerment.
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Someone posts complaining about this and that. They get a ton of responses saying "yeah, that sucks". But, never take any action to change that suckiness. And since a lot of people are supporting their wining they get warm and fuzzy feelings, removing the desire to change.
I used to wonder how many times someone would say 'my life sucks' before trying to change their life. I think it's culturally hard for Americans to take responsibility for themselves.
Yoda got it right.
Reply
"Basically everything is everyone else's fault and I have no responsibility for how sucky my life is -- waah waah waah."
Umm, yeah... You can't change the economy or the prices of things, but people always have a choice. Especially in the United States! It may not be the easiest or the most "fun" or glamorous, but it is a choice. Some jobs that are nasty and gross pay better. Some of those jobs have better hours.
I remember one speech where Bill Gates said that nobody should be too proud to work at McDonalds or similar places because those are jobs. If someone is in a place where they can work... they should, IMHO. If you need money, go out and earn it.
I know a good many apathetic people... where life just happens to them. Where they stay in their place because someone "wants" them there... and then they complain about it.... So... CHANGE IT! Do something. Even children have that ability. Instead of entitlement it is empowerment.
Reply
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