Book of Questions: 008: Destroying Reputations

Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions is just that - a book of questions. The only answers are the ones we, the reader, come up with on our own in isolation or with a group of friends. These are guaranteed to shift the conversation with loved ones in whole new directions. I decided to take it upon myself to slowly but surely go through the entire book.  There are 292 questions. 

This could take a while.

Keep in mind that I write these as if they were spontaneously presented during a fireside chat. I don't plan out or outline what I am going to write. It's my belief that sometimes, in certain situations - such as a fireside chat - we need to know that while we are accountable for what we say out loud, we need to be given a fair chance to retract. Sometimes we need to hear our thoughts to truly see the validity and truth behind them and to comfortably say, "You know what? I take that back." I think this becomes more and more necessary as social media pounces on anything said, twisting and manipulating the real meaning behind the words - granted, the truth isn't always pretty. 

With our culture obsessed with in-your-face reactions and responses, we're rarely given time to think before speaking. This is not an excuse for things that are said, but just saying that sometimes we need to give the benefit of the doubt because we all have felt relieved when extended grace.

If you could anonymously and safely destroy any one person's reputation online through various postings, would you? If so, who and why?

See what I mean about being better for a deep fireside chat rather than social media where Facebook and Twitter could garner an endless barrage of torturous and judgmental comments? Of course, depending on who you keep company with, the barrages may be as plentiful of sparks rising from the fire pit. 

But the rule of the game, like the ever-popular, Would You Rather questions, is you have to answer. 

The dark side of me would say anyone that disagrees with me. Admit it; it's not always easy listening (and respecting) different points of view. Although just by listening, we grow - whether our opinions are altered or not. If I had to destroy someone's reputation, it would be anyone who claims to be a Christian yet has no idea how to read the Bible. Those Christians may believe Christ died on the cross for everyone, but their actions don't show it - as seen in how they treat certain demographics. I guess they skipped the part in the New Testament where Christ, modeling how we should live, showed love (and no disgust) towards evvveerryone.

I'd also destroy the reputation of the woman on Facebook who can't go a day without taking a selfie. Why do you base your self-worth on how many "likes" you get. Grow up.