Why #263Chat matters most

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See, I’ve often wondered (albeit rather briefly) if my occasional lack of compassion is indicative of some essential lack of morality in my soul – some kind of flaw that brings horror into the eyes of those who know me well.

Of course, such thoughts do not last very long. There are some things I don’t care about, and some things I do. Some days I’m politically correct, other days I’ll say the first thing that comes to mind.

Fact is, I don’t care what other people think (of me), and if most of them see that as a threat to … whatever … their view on how things should be … well, that’s just too bad, isn’t it?

I would rather hang out with someone who thinks differently from me, than talk with someone who does. What’s the point of conversation if you’re only going to agree all the time? Anyway.

My point is this; I may seem contrary, argumentative or even ‘versus’. But why wouldn’t I be? I am, after all, a free-thinking individual.

The most deadly seducer isn’t the one leading you astray from the beaten path; it is the one encouraging conformity. If you can only feel safe when everybody else feels, thinks and looks the same as you, then you’re a fecking coward … not to mention a vicious tyrant in the making.

Diversity is life. Thus, divergent views are the blood which sustain that life; there can be no vibrant, progressive society without the free flow and exchange of conflicting ideas.

For only through having my own personal principles, myths and absolute truths constantly challenged can I gradually decide what it is I believe in. How can you “know thyself” if you only keep your own counsel?

Our differences don’t actually set us apart – they are precisely what bring us together. Zimbabwe is not some homogenous mass marching in tune to the beat of a State-run drum.

We are vibrant. We are colourful. We are noisy. Passionate. Above all else, though we all have different ideas, I believe we all care about one thing – Zimbabwe.

By all means, let’s argue about it. When we stop arguing, we’ve stopped caring, and when we stop caring then Zimbabwe will die.

I, for one, am not willing to let that happen.

Is anyone else willing to fight? Not just with me, but against me as well? I’ll start.

Lacto sucks.

* 263Chat on Facebook | Twitter | @SirNige

Published by Joe Black

28 Replies to “Why #263Chat matters most”

  3. got me a bit confused here dude,

    how do you gel,

    “I don’t care what other people think, and if most of them see that as a threat to … whatever … their view on how things should be … well, that’s just too bad, isn’t it?”

    with,

    accepting contrary opinions?

    catch me where im shooting off, but, it seems u’re open to differing opinions which you approve of?

  4. Let me explain, then.

    I don’t care what people think. About me. About my character, my lack of compassion, or the way I talk or act.

    I do care what people think about things generally. Just not about me.

    Get it?

  6. LOVE THIS!!!
    With you ALL the way Mr Black.

    After 4 years of being here, so tired of having conversation limited to h-metro headlines, the never ending bemoaning of single women in search of husbands in this thriving metropolis, and who is the best hairdresser/bikini waxer/manicurist/importer of dangerously high heels is (yawn). So bored!

    So bring it!
    Totally agree, lacto sucks!! But add 5 heaped tsps of sugar to your bowl and eating sadza and lacto takes on a whole different experience….

  7. have you ever had sadza and lacto on a hot October day? it filling yet refreshing and at the end end of the day you dont have to wash greasy pots and plates.

  8. I don’t actually drink milk (by choice, no BS allergies or intolerances) and can only take cheese in moderation.

    Now imagine how I feel when I look at lacto. Yuck.

  9. Wakarasikirwa bra. I love milk in whatever form and I’m a fan of all things dairy so for me lacto is the way to go. With sadza, with rice, as a marinade for my chicken or on its own. Lacto ndizvo

  10. See? Now you insult me. Ndakarasikirwa, now? Because I don’t agree with you?

    That is wrong on so many levels, but let me try make this clear. There’s no need to say shit like that. It’s okay to have a different opinion. Telling me “ndakarasikirwa” is evidence of failure to communicate, failure to respond to a contrary opinion.

    We are contrary creatures, us humans, but that isn’t something we need be afraid of, or even much troubled by.

    And if you make a list of those people who worship consistency, you’ll find they’re one and all tyrants or would-be tyrants.

    Tyrants ruling over countries, over a husband or a wife, or some cowering child.

    Resorting to insult is a step away from attempting to crush contrary voices.

    Never fear contradiction, my friend, for it is the very heart of diversity.

    Done.

  11. On the contrary I love contradiction. It makes my world go round. And its why I even read your blog in the first place. My “wakarasikirwa” was not an insult but a statement. Just informing you that you’re missing out on something good.

  12. … because you’ve decided that YOUR opinion of what’s “good” is definitive?

    It IS an insult, see, because you’re telling me that I can’t decide FOR MYSELF what is good or not, but I must follow your definition of good or bad.

    The point is, I’m okay with you liking Lacto, though I disagree. You should learn, in the same fashion, to be okay with me NOT liking Lacto, instead of telling me “ndakarasikirwa”.

    Because that implies that I am WRONG, and you are RIGHT, yet there is simply neither right nor wrong in a matter of opinion.

    Get it?

  13. Got it! I still think it rocks tho. And i hold nothing against you for thinking otherwise. Question? Have you ever tasted it?

  15. So touchy you are Joe, soooo touchy, like a sensitive little flower.

    Yes, Lacto sucks donkey nuts, but Masse… the ‘older’ brother to girly, runny Lacto. Now we’re talking, that is the shizznit.

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