No one should suffer as I did ever again, (virtue signaling, sentimental thinking, and unreality?)

grahamg

Old codger
You often hear people say, following some traumatic event that has befallen them, that "No one should ever have to suffer this again", (or words to that effect).

Now its understandable that whoever has had life serve up some very traumatic event or a tragedy has occurred in their family, that they do not indeed wish this to happen to anyone else, so this gives justification for the statement.

However, in reality no one of us can ever be guaranteed we'll never suffer in life, or receive diabolically unfair treatment metered out to us, (where the courts for example might provide scant remedy, or in too many cases, be in some ways adding to the sense of injustice). Even if such an idea were anything like possible, and we could future proof our lives to the nth degree, would we really want a life and a world to function in this "utopian" way?

Then there is the thought some of those declaring "they dont want anyone else to suffer etc.," may to some extent be virtue signaling, and they dont seriously believe in the future they're professing they wish to see, nor have they thought through the broader effects of whatever law it is they're asking the authorities to change, being enacted.

What do you think, (worth a discussion?)? :unsure:
 

I think they mean it, at least in the moment, and some will actually work to see that other's never have to suffer from what they did. šŸ¤”
 
I think they mean it, at least in the moment, and some will actually work to see that other's never have to suffer from what they did. šŸ¤”
You're right, and I don't disagree with anything you've said, "BUT", (there's always a but!), its hard for me to accept you can somehow sanitise life to the extent there is no risk of whatever harm you suffered reoccurring.

People like ourselves drink alcohol, even to excess on occasion, and our judgement and other capabilities are compromised, but do we really want to bring back prohibition so no one ever suffers from alcoholism (for example)?
 

You're right, and I don't disagree with anything you've said, "BUT", (there's always a but!), its hard for me to accept you can somehow sanitise life to the extent there is no risk of whatever harm you suffered reoccurring.

People like ourselves drink alcohol, even to excess on occasion, and our judgement and other capabilities are compromised, but do we really want to bring back prohibition so no one ever suffers from alcoholism (for example)?
Not completely true. John Walsh raised awareness of crime against abducted children after his son Adam was taken from a shopping mall and murdered. He has helped other people to avoid the pain he suffered through his tv show. So someone did use their personal pain to do something to help others not to suffer their fate.
 
It's possible for others to experience an event that makes sympathizing with what evoked the phrase "No one should ever have to suffer this again".

Expecting some authority to put something in place to prevent future occurrences would have to be event specific & affect the masses. Even that can be difficult as witnessed by the vax anti vax current situation.
 
Not completely true. John Walsh raised awareness of crime against abducted children after his son Adam was taken from a shopping mall and murdered. He has helped other people to avoid the pain he suffered through his tv show. So someone did use their personal pain to do something to help others not to suffer their fate.
"No arguments with that",(also!),......., everyone will get tired of my saying those words won't they, "BUT" my objection is to the general concept of "No one must suffer as I've suffered etc."! :)
 
It's just one of many platitudes people say to feel better, appear brave or less stupid. Unfortunately, others still suffer regardless of our good intentions.
That's my feeling largely, though as others have pointed out there are notable exceptions.
I admit I'm struggling to think of good examples, but in a sense any campaign that achieves widespread support, and positive change results fits the bill. My own meagre campaigning efforts haven't (yet! :) ).
 
That's my feeling largely, though as others have pointed out there are notable to elp hexceptions.
I admit I'm struggling to think of good examples, but in a sense any campaign that achieves widespread support, and positive change results fits the bill. My own meagre campaigning efforts haven't (yet! :) ).
It makes a person feel better to try to help others not to suffer as they have and some succeed, Neslon Mandala would be another example in a way. Nothing changes for the better if a person doesn't at least try. 😊
 
It makes a person feel better to try to help others not to suffer as they have and some succeed, Neslon Mandala would be another example in a way. Nothing changes for the better if a person doesn't at least try
Absolutely!

I've found counseling with others (mostly younger folks) on how to deal with things, works rather well.
Especially if they ask......and I've been asked......much.
Removing 'things' is rather counter productive in regard to mental growth...maturity.

Seems there's a lot of stunted adults these days.

Now, Mandela.....he's a god
An example
 
It makes a person feel better to try to help others not to suffer as they have and some succeed, Neslon Mandala would be another example in a way. Nothing changes for the better if a person doesn't at least try. 😊
I'd say you are both right and wrong here, (btw, Nelson Mandela, whilst right up there in terms of the estimation of so many people across the world, would not have claimed God like status as Gary O suggested).

Yes people can indeed feel better by trying to help others, (some suggest this makes such actions self serving but let's put that to one side), the rub is though almost anyone saying "No one should have to suffer as I have suffered", is accepting no responsibility whatever for the tragic circumstances they found themselves in, or wrong done to them, are they(?).
 
I am not sure if I understand what is being asked fully.
Anyway, is it more helpful to a person's character and life skills to do things for them, or is it good to let them make their own mistakes and learn from them?
 
Why should a person have to accept responsibility for having been in a tragic circumstance? I don't understand. Some ended up in tragic circumstances and are not to blame.
Dont you agree we sometimes make our own luck?

I do think you can put yourself in harms way unnecessarily sometimes, (without being too proscriptive about life, but when I visited the USA thirty years ago we were advised not to go out in the evening alone - I flouted the rule/advice and got away with it, so my luck held that time).

Maybe this comes into it somewhere too:

Simple answers.1.jpg
 

No one should suffer as I did ever again..​


Plain and simple statement if one has been through some traumatic experience which could have been avoided:unsure:
 
No one should suffer as I did ever again..
Plain and simple statement if one has been through some traumatic experience which could have been avoided:unsure:
Yes, "BUT", (there's always a but!), I've covered the situation over alcoholism etc. above, and similarly anyone suffering lung cancer must think no one should suffer as they do.

Roy Castle, a great entertainer in the UK who died twenty years ago, did a lot to raise awareness about the dangers of passive smoking, and raised a huge sum for charities once diagnosed, whilst aware he couldn't be cured, but people still smoke don't they!

It has to be faced, (or borne in mind at least),that human beings are prone to risk taking sometimes.
 
There is that aspect too, (in some cases, where there are lessons to be learnt obviously, not a "freak accident" of some kind).
I believe all of us have the innate ability to know our future. We also have physiological cues as to how to proceed in a given moment. Such as, we may get a gut feeling about a circumstance. We may follow it to our peril if the feeling is a queasy, uneasy feeling. If we are "tuned into" ourselves we will know when to heed these gut feelings which are connected to the information received by our brains. If we are impaired in some way through excessive alcohol or certain drugs, or even by distraction or chaos, we may miss the signals that will save our lives or keep us from harm.
 

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