Interesting, Tom. And convincing. I believe I will try to make a
change in my approach, for several reasons, but these are the
swing-reasons.
qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
SJL wrote:
I have noted lately a lot of members of the CPF0000 group have anger managment issues. I'm certainly no saint, and I have taken my pot shots at Booth and others (mostly in fun), but we need to learn how to deal constructively with Anger.
Steve:
I considered posting something similar a month or two ago in
response to one of Buck's (!) posts in which he commented that he
was venting some anger over some subject.
The link the you provided is right on the mark in terms of its
discussion of anger and ways to deal with it. It falls down a
little, though, in its depiction of psychologists/psychiatrists in
implying that the commonly held view among them is that expressing
the anger is the proper method.
It has been psychologists/psychiatrists who have learned what anger
does and how best to handle it. They are unfortunately countered by
"anger management counselors" who are the ones who teach techniques
such as hitting pillows or yelling in private or whatever they're
selling as their pet methodology. The "counselors" are most often in
it simply to make money, not help.
It needs to be noted that there is in fact a professional difference
between the two opposing groups.
Enough on that part.
'What About Bob?' -- heh, good one. As long as it's understood that
it's intended to have comedic elements, I agree. My wife also likes it.
Back to Buck...
It's been understood for some time (by psychologists/psychiatrists)
that actual venting of anger actually increases the tendency to
anger. It is indeed like other emotions in that respect.
Further, it is likely that acting _as if_ you are angry (e.g.,
deliberate 'venting in anger') causes the same internal brain
reactions as true anger. "Likely" means that it happens most times
but not guaranteed. Just like maintaining regular physical smiles
and acting as if you're genuinely happy can bring an internal
feeling of real happiness.
There is a feedback between physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual. Each of them does induce effects in related parts of the
others and each is stimulated by the others. It's two-way among them
all, and therefore multi-way as well.
IMO, the best piece on this that I've seen recently has been Penn &
Teller's "B*llSh;t: Anger Management". "Best" means "most thought
provoking" rather than "most effective". It was what had me on the
verge of posting a response to Buck's item.
I've actually considered something related to this for many years.
As I watched the general public moods going way back to the Nixon
years, I've thought I could detect it. In the Clinton Impeachment
buildup, I was as certain as I have gotten so far about it.
My thought -- Jay Leno, David Letterman and others like them had
more effect on the outcomes of many national issues than politicians
did. The continual joking and laughter that follows such monologues
as theirs, bring much reduction in anger and outrage, regardless of
which side of an issue a listener might be on.
The listeners most affected are the ones with least self-control.
E.g., "swing voters" who are influenced easily by persuasive
speakers, etc.
Comedians bring laughter. Audiences feel better. It happens over and
over and over and...
It's irrelevant if a joke highlights a pro or a con element. With
Clinton/Lewinsky as a prime example, it definitely didn't matter
because jokes almost wrote themselves.
The result, however, was a continual cooling. The demographics for
comedians' audiences ought to show that their regular viewers
_tended_ to be less involved than regular viewers of venues that
avoided humor. They _tended_ to be more on the "drop it; it's
unimportant" side.
And I don't think it was because they are less prone to anger or
outrage, but that they were simply cooled more often.
Just a thought. Not filled out by any means.
Unfortunately, it doesn't say much for attempts by Penn & Teller and
similar. Even if they're right on target, their result would be less
action.
Tom Liotta
