Comment by The Shiznit on September 12, 2012 at 4:32am

Glad to know that my vlog inspired somebody.  hehe 

And I think I understand your question. {Maybe not.}  I think that we all want to be "liked" by other people in this world. We are social creatures, after all, so it's only natural. It can be a problem sometimes, though, if we obsess about it and allow it to be a driving force in our lives. We can't just live our lives trying to always make other people like us - because not only is that an impossible goal, it will also remove us from being able to establish any kind of unique, personal identity.  I mean, if you're always doing things to try to please me... then what does that say about you? Who are you?  What do you believe? What things are you passionate about?  What are you willing to stand up for?  to die for?

Respect is different.  People can {and often will} respect you, even if they do not agree with you about something, if you behave in a respectable manner.  And then, of course, there is also the fearful kind of respect that people have for tyrants and dictators. People will respect what that person can do to them, even if they do not like them at all.  The same thing applies with government institutions, etc.  It's like, you have to respect the gun, even if you hate the person who is pointing it at you.  :-)

Comment by Zacharie on September 13, 2012 at 4:03am

I am happy to read your ideas about something that is, for me, a very interesting subject. I agree with you, for me it is about setting goals that you are in control over. And as you pointed out, to be liked or validated by someone else is a goal that you can't control. However, (and here is the paradoxical element of the whole issue,) to be able to act with strong integrity, courage and authenticity, we need social support. This is very evident in how our beloved Belgians are operating. 

I agree, and I think actually that brutal violence shows the the impotence of the one who is, in a sense, trying to overcompensate for his lack of authority. Also, I think that true authority does not use violence. It is only in a sense lack of authority that demands brutal violence. Our fantasies make authority much stronger than direct force. Again the point here is not authority as in superiority, as hierarchies are lies; but Respect as an opposite to Contempt. As a side-note, I actually think that resentment, contempt and bitterness are the true evil emotions there is. They are the emotions that make anyone a Fascist in their actions. 

Comment by kungfuanthrax - Alex on September 16, 2012 at 11:57pm

I love your pornstar mustache Daniel.

Comment by Zacharie on September 17, 2012 at 2:45am

I am going for a "Chevron" moustache style! ;-) Actually this have very much do with authenticity another word for it are self-respect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authenticity_(philosophy) To not go for Authenticity means self-deception, and self-hatred. What can suppress this are actually the moralistic need to manipulate others perception of who one are to be liked. This is why it is dead important to seek respect and nothing else. 

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