This lesson was heavily applied in a voice-style of conflict recently. To prevent potential rumors, leaks, and/or assumptions, I’m going to give a vague version of what happened, and how this was applied.
I will use the name X since it’s a genderless, ageless entity. The other person involved, we will call Y for the same reasons.
Background – X has some knowledge, however instead of expanding their knowledge pool, they feel the little bit they know is enough for daily activities. X also lives by what society tells them, and also believes in stereotypes of various groups of people; as well as believing in certain lifestyles under what society deems as “normal.”
Y has somewhat more knowledge than X, and also has some additional work experience that X lacks, and also made some poor life decisions at a younger age, which is up for debate if they are actually learned or not. Y follows society to some extent, however realizes not everyone is the same, and not all stereotypes are accurate. Downside, however is Y can be easily influenced with certain words and phrases.
Current situation – X has a tendency to speak their mind a little too much, and also goes into defensive mode when there’s nothing intelligent they can add to a rebuttal. Example:
X makes a comment, Person 0 stays quiet to prevent conflict, yet X gets somewhat defensive and antagonizes the situation until 0 says something back, which then X gets upset and makes threats.
X asks a bated question, and 0 finds a loophole to exploit in the answer, which causes X to get quiet and not speak for a while. Yet X decides to talk behind their back to other people about how bad of a person 0 is over something they started.
Y sees the conflict, however to prevent picking sides, Y stays out of certain conflicts because there’s no point in getting involved with something that doesn’t involve them at all. X makes efforts to drag Y into the conversation and/or conflict, which under certain influences Y then is joined into the situation to take the side of X. So in short, X and Y vs 0.
Why is this important?
If only more people followed this rule more often, things would be much better for society as a whole. Person 0 doesn’t care because there’s other important matters, situations, and goals in life; and participating in an unnecessary conflict only takes the energy away that’s needed for daily activities. In short, both X and Y are trying to antagonize 0 because 0 decides to focus on other important matters. X can have two options at this point – stop or keep going. X mostly decides to keep going for personal, unknown reasons.
So what does 0 do? 0 decides it’s time to exploit certain holes in their logic by asking questions which makes them lose the verbal conflict. Example:
Person 1 – Do you want food for breakfast? (Food being a variable for something consumed like bacon, toast, etc)
X – They don’t eat food. It’s beneath them. (This is where X makes a statement instead of staying out of something that has nothing to do with them)
0 – I can answer questions directed towards me thank you. (0 exploits one hole which causes X to get upset and walk away)
X – You need to – (when someone starts a statement like this, automatic shutdown of all logic from whatever is said after)
0 – Why do I need to?
X – Because you do, that’s why! (Notice X doesn’t really give an actual, logical reason behind the choice of words and phrase, just answers with a pre-programmed defense phrase)
0 – Did you ever ask what – (notice how 0 asks a question which challenges X’s intelligence?)
X – remains silent
X – Well what you’re doing/saying says otherwise (such as? Provide examples and not what you want to see/hear)
X – Has limited employment options due to education, experience, and age. Uses this as a weapon against 0 who has more opportunity once the situation arises.
0 – Is selective in what they want to have something long-term over temp, views all available options, and uses what they learned as a way for better employment.
X – Continues to ridicule 0 because X can find employment; yet chooses not to fo