there are persons, and then there are events.

Was having an extended conversation with Celine today and I was remarking that sometimes I entertain this heartbreaking thought that some people don't really think I'm human, don't think I'm a real person.

Perhaps this is what is also afflicting Joel. I guess it happens to people who are publicly seen as "mean". You know how when someone is put down by a nasty person the entirety of our consciousness seems to rush to the side of the "victim"? We then criticize the "aggressor" for being mean, for hurting the feelings of others, for being unthoughtful and the list goes on, I'm only too familiar with the receiving end.

At that moment it seems that have also forgotten that the "aggressor" is also a person. A person who has his or her reasons to say what he or she did say. They may not be the best of reasons but it is not without reason. Our rash aiding of the supposed victim is usually accompanied by the fact that we don't bring to mind the considerations of the one who said the harsh things he said.

And these people, when they repeat such acts frequently enough, are regarded or responded to as not humans, but just events. They are part of the landscape of the inanimate world. They are like the rain which comes whenever, which does soil our moods every now and then but we won't profoundly ask why.

I do feel sorry for myself sometimes because some people do behave as though they think I'm too rational. They think I'm like a programme, unfeeling, without genuine cares and their disregard of my feelings or intentions is all too obvious.
But am I not equally guilty of it? Keng Yong comes to mind. This nefarious individual who is always up to mischief and whose mouth is always spilling raunchy nonsense has occurred to me for 1 whole year as but an event in life. He is like a cleverly crafted computer virus who eats away at the infrastructure of an otherwise fine world. But certainly one has got to pay due interest (yes interest is due) to why he does or says the things he says? I'm afraid this seeing of some individuals as events rather than as persons is just quite the common feature of our lives.

And it is regrettable. I guess the greatest disregard we can have for a person is not to think poorly of his intentions, thoughts and motivations,
it's to not think that he has any at all.