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Tantrums
So we are seeing a number of tantrums being thrown.
To be fair, the people throwing these tantrums tell us it is for our own good and they should know because, apparently, they are so much smarter than everyone else and only want what they have decided is best for everyone and if we do not implement what they say immediately then we are all a bunch of dummies!
If it seems that I am mocking that position it is because I am mocking that position, just so we are all on the same page.
I'm not a fan of tantrums. My kids learned this early and often enough when they were young that tantrums were dispensed with as a tactic. My parents taught me the same thing; tantrums are not effective.
Yet some folks appear to believe if they scream and shout and stomp their feet and hold their breath and throw things that others will acquiesce to their whim in order to keep the peace. And hell, I guess there are folks who behave in this fashion. I am not one of them.
Let me put it this way. If I am willing to sit on a department store floor and forcibly put a jacket on my 4 year old son while he is screaming and kicking and biting while Christmas shoppers walk by, all without raising my voice or displaying any shred of anger, what do you think your chances are of causing me any sort of embarrassment or pause?
But I do have to thank the tantrum throwers for one thing. You have made my point about your class of people and have illustrated pointedly the issues and behaviour I have raised to the level where folks who were convinced i was over reacting are now contacting me to say:
"You were right."
So, thanks for that. It's the law of unintended consequences. Your actions did not intend to convince people my approach was warranted and effective and required, but you have done exactly that.
And it's not even my birthday.
To be fair, the people throwing these tantrums tell us it is for our own good and they should know because, apparently, they are so much smarter than everyone else and only want what they have decided is best for everyone and if we do not implement what they say immediately then we are all a bunch of dummies!
If it seems that I am mocking that position it is because I am mocking that position, just so we are all on the same page.
I'm not a fan of tantrums. My kids learned this early and often enough when they were young that tantrums were dispensed with as a tactic. My parents taught me the same thing; tantrums are not effective.
Yet some folks appear to believe if they scream and shout and stomp their feet and hold their breath and throw things that others will acquiesce to their whim in order to keep the peace. And hell, I guess there are folks who behave in this fashion. I am not one of them.
Let me put it this way. If I am willing to sit on a department store floor and forcibly put a jacket on my 4 year old son while he is screaming and kicking and biting while Christmas shoppers walk by, all without raising my voice or displaying any shred of anger, what do you think your chances are of causing me any sort of embarrassment or pause?
But I do have to thank the tantrum throwers for one thing. You have made my point about your class of people and have illustrated pointedly the issues and behaviour I have raised to the level where folks who were convinced i was over reacting are now contacting me to say:
"You were right."
So, thanks for that. It's the law of unintended consequences. Your actions did not intend to convince people my approach was warranted and effective and required, but you have done exactly that.
And it's not even my birthday.