Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The condescension of “think about it.”

The other day I posted something on my facebook and though I said I was joking about the post, I received a comment from, I assume a self-appointed conscious facebook policeman, who after he finished his comment, invite me to “think about it.” As though the comment in itself defied conventional thinking and would elude my intellectual comprehension without a more contemplative consideration. As if it were Descartes or Nietzche. The ostentatious and obvious comment was not all that insightful and did not demand more than a cursory read. As I pointed out I was joking and indicated so, but some don’t get jokes and feel compelled to comment unnecessarily.

But as I did post the comment publicly, I suppose I can’t get too bent over about lame response—except the stupid condescension with the “think about it” comment. That is what bothered me. Think about what, I thought. I did for second and responded. There was not much to considered, but why did he assume that his comment was complex? The self-righteous intellectual superiority did not settle well with me. I think, therefore I am irritated. Well, a variation on Descartes but it’s the idea of it all.

So, then, let’s hold off with the “think about it” stuff for awhile, unless, a comment absolutely demands it. I mean really demands it. Like, for example, what is the point of working—think about it. Or, what is the point of Dancing with the Starts—think about it. Or what is the point of pineapple on pizza? (Alliteration rules.) Or what is the point of alliteration and what does it rule—think about it.

Think about this. Why do people think they need to say “think about it?” Stupid is as stupid does, that’s what I think—think about it.