Does anger serve a purpose?

[AnAmericanDarling]

Every emotion serves a purpose. It's human. Including anger. We need to get angry if someone threatens our space or our lives (I think someone already mentioned the flight-or-fight theory.) The point is, we need it to save ourselves, to be fierce.

 

[pink]

Sure it is. You have to acknowledge it in a healthy way. Always acknowledge feelings.

 

[Oblimo]

Righteous indignation is reasonable though.

I beg to differ in the most strenuous terms.

At least, if one puts the word “Self” in front of “righteous indignation,” it does — I guess I can’t deny the possibility of a healthy sense of righteousness.

But! I really think self righteous indignation (which is the vastly more popular form) is actually habit forming self-doping. The zealous conviction of the screaming pixie-cut activist or hollering, Tikki-torch bearing thug is based on the pleasure of the rush one experiences from outrage, not a philosophy or policy.

 

[Que]

I beg to differ in the most strenuous terms.

At least, if one puts the word “Self” in front of “righteous indignation,” it does — I guess I can’t deny the possibility of a healthy sense of righteousness.

But! I really think self righteous indignation (which is the vastly more popular form) is actually habit forming self-doping. The zealous conviction of the screaming pixie-cut activist or hollering, Tikki-torch bearing thug is based on the pleasure of the rush one experiences from outrage, not a philosophy or policy.

So, you change my entire sentence and then disagree with it?

Well that seems helpful and constructive.

Just because the word self-righteous has the term righteous in it doesn't make them even close cousins.

To help you understand: your rant has an air of self-righteousness about it. I am righteously indignant that you would hijack my comment just to get in some sort of dig at whoever your perceived enemies are.

 

[Oblimo]

So, you change my entire sentence and then disagree with it?

Well that seems helpful and constructive.

I thought I owned up to that.

Just because the word self-righteous has the term righteous in it doesn't make them even close cousins.

Not in my experience. What’s the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness for you?

To help you understand: your rant has an air of self-righteousness about it. I am righteously indignant that you would hijack my comment just to get in some sort of dig at whoever your perceived enemies are.

I read this more as hostile than humorous, since you seem to be accusing me of having imaginary enemies, although that’s just from my POV. What was your intent?

 

[Hypoxia]

Anger raises my blood pressure.

That's OK, I have low BP, even eating salted foods.

Anger makes me miss my aim but so do milk shakes and tequila sunrises.