Hello, friends!
This is sort of off topic for this blog, but it’s something that’s been on my mind lately. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because of politics. Anyway, have you ever noticed that hate is kind of fun? Or if it’s not fun, then it can at least feel satisfying, in its own way?
Some people are just the worst, right? Maybe they’re simply annoying, or maybe they cause us actual harm. Either way, it feels good to point a finger, to lay down some thick and heavy criticism, to really tear apart the people responsible for our troubles. So if it feels so good, then what is wrong with hate? Some people deserve to be hated, right?
Maybe. But I have a theory. This isn’t a scientific theory, but I suspect it is still a useful model of human psychology nonetheless. I think the human heart is only so big. There’s only so much space in there, and if you fill your heart with hate you will leave less room for the people and things that you love, for everything that brings you joy.
Yes, hate does feel satisfying, at least at first. But by dwelling on the people you hate—even if those people really do deserve to be hated—you may find that you are missing out on some of the other things that life has to offer.
Just my two cents.
Next time on Planet Pailly, I should have some fresh news about Tomorrow News Network.
Planet Pailly 
My experience is that hate is unproductive. Anger, a variation of our instinctive fight impulse, might be useful in certain short term situations. But hate is simply anger stoked and kept alive. I don’t think that’s healthy.
The issue is, hate, our hate, can be productive, as in profitable, for other people. Many news channels and sites seem designed to keep us angry and outraged. Which is why I generally avoid news channels, and carefully select which web sites to get news from. And I unfollow social media personalities who are always venting about some outrage. My peace of mind is better for it.
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Yes, peace of mind is so important. I try to limit my news intake as well, and I unfollow people who constantly vent about politics, social issues, etc. I call it defending my sanity. Even if I agree with the points people are trying to make, I don’t really want to hear that all the time.
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All true and why hating someone–the antagonist–is so satisfying. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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That’s a really good thought, and maybe that’s one of the reasons fiction is so good for us: it gives us a safe outlet for some of our negative emotions.
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I love this. It reminds me of that old saying about how unforgiveness is like letting the other person live rent-free in your brain. I definitely agree that this is true. That said, forgiving AND letting go is so much easier said than done.
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That’s true. Some scars never fully heal, and some things can never truly be forgotten. I guess the best we can do is try not to dwell on those things.
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