[ExI] Basis of Belief

[aiguy at comcast.net]

Kevin said >>

Why is it that some people seem to think that any kind of pressure is the same as violence? Taxation is violence. Law enforcement is violence. Ridicule is violence. At some point it needs to be recognized that violence is it's own thing. Just because something is disagreeable or hurts one's feelings does not make it violent in nature. An "invitation to violence" is not violence either. It is an invitation. The hurling of words can indeed cut deeply, but only in those who are open to listening. Violence on the other hand doesn't even allow the option of not listening. Things and ideas are different - hence the reason behind having different words for them. 

Ridiculing is a powerful weapon on argumentation.  If you make you opponent look silly and foolish then you're closer to winning.   If you can make your opponent feel silly then you've definately won. >>

Most children and adults for that matter do not have strong enough egos and self confidence to stand up to extended amounts of ridicule.   

Each attack erodes their self esteem and self image and results in resentment and hatred and lack of respect towards the antagonists.

Hence in marriage, ridicule turns love into hatred and divorce.   At some point primal defense mechanisms may ensue and violence erupts.  Thankfully divorce usually ensues before this happens.

Anytime you win an argument and have made an enemy in the process,  can this be considered winning?   

Of course I am sure that many of you who use ridicule to win arguments or promote yourselves on a daily basis are oblivious  to your enemies because you consider them weak and of little consequence.    

The sheep you prey upon realize this and in most cases their egos and self-confidence will remain intact enough to resist lashing out at their aggressors.

But at some point a certain number of the sheep will go postal and send a message to to wolves still out there who still lack the empathy to realize that mental pain is every bit as real as physical pain.

The question that is whether the AGI will consider mental pain as real and as serious as physical pain and equate ridicule with violence and judge you accordingly.
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