Quote:
Originally Posted by Plato  You've nicely identified the key difference then.
You see banter as unneccessary, weird, even violent? Others see it as a way of having fun- it keeps things fresh, unpredictable and entertaining. It's also a way of helping people get over their insecurities. Example: if an overweight guy gets called "fat boy" by his best friends as part of the banter he knows they don't care that he's fat! In effect what they are saying is "you're not perfect, but I like you for who you really are." It's a proclamation that we are imperfect humans, but we don't care, we're going to have a good time.
What do you suppose it would take to enjoy shooting the ♥♥♥♥♥ with your buddies? |
I'm not against "banter" or "having a good time" or "shooting the ♥♥♥♥♥" with ones buddies. I do this, and yes I admit that could probably stand to do it more than I do and perhaps "lighten up" as I'm often told. HOWEVER, that does not change the fact that I believe we as a society engage in this sort of behavior way too much, in a way I find evasive considering the perilous times which we live. It's no different than watching too much TV or playing too many video games. For sure socializing is healthy for us and should be encouraged but after a certain point it loses it's benefit and starts to become a diversion, a "game" if you will, to co-opt the title of Neil Strauss' infamous book. There is nothing wrong with "having a good time", but when we over-indulge in this, as I think our culture does, we evade the "big questions" life poses for us, the "serious" stuff which I personally believe is the reason we are here. Of course if you want to believe our reason for being here is "to have a good time" and be all light hearted about it, that's your prerogative and certainly fine by me, I simply disagree.