"Develop a little self-righteousness. A lot of that is an ugly thing, God knows, but a little applied over all your scruples is an absolute necessity! It is to the soul what a good sun-block is to the skin."
Stephen King - The Stand P811
This quote perplexes me. It is quite poignant. It captures some of what I think I have going on. I used to have opinions, goals, scruples, a moral compass. I'd argue with anyone if needed because I thought I'm right.
Can't quite find the right turn of phrase. Maybe writing will help.
If everyone is "right", and "all opinions are valid", then what right has ANY person to any particular value? Society seems flawed in that regard, much along the lines of Ayn Rand in some respects. I'm part of a society of 100 people. If 51 want to elect an iguana for Prime Minister, I have no say. Majority rules.
The same can be said of societal ethics. The "social contract". You don't hurt me and I don't hurt you. But if 50% +1 decide you have crossed the line you go to jail based on whatever laws were created or enforced.
I feel like I have been slowly disappearing over the past years. I'm unsure of how many. Julie and I used to have fights, break up, get back together, but even if I compromised I still had opinions on things. Now I keep them to myself. (If a Twitter account that no one reads is considered private).
I feel like its a confidence thing. Or perhaps related to the depression? I feel like I have no opinions, or that the ones I have seem to get me in trouble. I used to have enough scruples to be able to survive anybody's conflict, now I just cave. It's easier.
Know what I grudgingly admire about Trump? His confidence. However misplaced he is, even in the face of provable facts, he just says: "Nope. Wasn't me" loudly and he gets a pass.
