rockaction
Footballguy
Nice article on how basic courtesy makes the practitioner happier. Things like saying “please” and “thank you” and other things we seem to be dropping from our discourse actually make the person acting with courtesy happier regardless of the situation.
But before that, an observation that I happen to agree with (to a degree).
“‘A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness,’ wrote Robert Heinlein in his 1982 futuristic novel, Friday. ‘A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot.’”
Then on to the recommendations to make one’s self happier.
apple.news
From the article, an interesting appeal not to altruism but to self-interest:
“My late father had impeccable manners, and I have no doubt that if he were still alive, he would start every request to AI with please and finish it with thank you. Years ago, I would have made fun of that—Dad, the bot doesn’t care!—but I’m sure he wouldn’t have paid any attention, because I now understand that his good manners were a demonstration of decent behavior to himself, about himself. And they would have protected him from some of the unhappiness we see all around. So today, I try to imitate him, online and in person, whomever or whatever I’m interacting with.”
We can all remind ourselves of this. I think that manners are also repetitive reinforcement that we are all human. No matter how rote or perfunctory or performative a “thank you” might be, just the physical act of saying or typing it reminds you that both you and the other person are there—both in spirit and incarnate.
But before that, an observation that I happen to agree with (to a degree).
“‘A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness,’ wrote Robert Heinlein in his 1982 futuristic novel, Friday. ‘A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot.’”
Then on to the recommendations to make one’s self happier.
Resist the Snark and Be Happy — The Atlantic
Being courteous can be challenging in these fractious times, but politeness is much better for your well-being.
From the article, an interesting appeal not to altruism but to self-interest:
“My late father had impeccable manners, and I have no doubt that if he were still alive, he would start every request to AI with please and finish it with thank you. Years ago, I would have made fun of that—Dad, the bot doesn’t care!—but I’m sure he wouldn’t have paid any attention, because I now understand that his good manners were a demonstration of decent behavior to himself, about himself. And they would have protected him from some of the unhappiness we see all around. So today, I try to imitate him, online and in person, whomever or whatever I’m interacting with.”
We can all remind ourselves of this. I think that manners are also repetitive reinforcement that we are all human. No matter how rote or perfunctory or performative a “thank you” might be, just the physical act of saying or typing it reminds you that both you and the other person are there—both in spirit and incarnate.
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