Friday, August 31, 2007

To Engage is To Enrage

There are two topics of conversation that I will no longer discuss with others.
I don’t care what stand they take.
I don’t care whose side they’re on.
I don’t care if they have all knowledge on the subject.

In fact, if someone tries to talk to me about them, I will do one of three things:

a.) Change the topic. I do this very nonchalantly. (e.g. “Do you like jam or jelly?”)

b.) Nod my head in agreement and say “I completely agree with your side, so we don’t need to talk about it anymore.”

c.) Feign an epileptic seizure. (This is a last resort, but I have no qualms doing it if it’s my only way of escape.)

What are the two topics I’m referring to?

The war in Iraq and global warming!

I will not speak on these things. I’m done! I’ve had it!

I think every side and everyone is stupid.
I don’t want to hear it.
I don’t want to sign any petition.
I don’t want to engage in any protest.
I don’t want to rally in support.
I don’t want to contribute to any fund.
And I don’t want to hear one more celebrity pontificating on their own moral authority on either topic.

I don’t care anymore*. My empathy has been eroded.



* Publicly. Privately, I still pray for the world and all of her people.

Addendum: Maybe working on a college campus with college students has made me overly sensitive on these issues. I know of the barrage of crap that will be coming my way on these topics now that school is starting, and it’s mentally exhausting.

6 comments:

rachelsaysso said...

Nothing makes my head hurt more than discussing the war. I may take your "jam or jelly" suggestion the next time someone brings it up.

Ms. Liz said...

I'm not sure anything can induce eye rolling faster in me than Global Warming. Especially when they have NO scientific background to make a decision. And I'm always skeptical of scientific issues that politicians decided to base their platforms on. I prefer marmalade thank you. Apple butter even. If we're talking about biscuits.

Laura said...

Before I comment...can someone please tell me what the actual difference is between jam and jelly? And what about preserves?

Amanda said...

well, the main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made from fruit and the jelly is made from the juice. I'm not exactly sure about the preserves thing. I think that preserves actually has big fruit chunks whereas the jam is quite mashed without fruit looking particles.
I wish people would accept 'I don't really care.' as an answer to these sorts of things.

Katie said...

Truly, I just love you all. The fact that Amanda would just spout out the difference between jam and jelly truly solidifies our greatness!

Amanda said...

well, laura asked!