Bad deeds take the lead

The article “Why greed begets more greed” by Michael I. Norton. Published on Scientific American on March 1 of 2014 discusses how a simple act of kindness is capable to leave everyone speechless. Those kind acts of “pay it forward” on a toll, or at a bar, have the ability to completely change our mood. Generosity has the ability not only to make us happier, but also healthier, sound good right? Why don't we give it a chance?

Why I thing this article is still relevant? Well, after all that’s have been said and done during this troublesome times we’re living in, I’ve noticed a consistence increase in rude behavior, hostility and selfishness, being rude is the norm today. It's childish to hide it, just take a look around and accept it, there's rude people everywhere.

BE RUDE OR BE CAST OUT

Maybe some of us have experienced by mere chance a sign of gratitude. We can also say very responsibly that we know first-hand how rude and un-polite people can be, someone might be willing to cut you off on the stop light, a costumer trying to get ahead of you at the cashier line is nothing out of the ordinary nowadays. Those are fine examples of the kind of treatment you get on a daily basis. But unfortunately, research suggest that we are more likely to pay greed forward, seldom generosity, (if any.)

We all have been treated badly before, people who have received greed tend to pay with greed forward. In our heads, a bad impression tends to have more weight than a good one. This neuropath way changes our perception of what’s right, more and more people tend to pay greed forward as a result of the way negative emotions forge our understanding of reality, sad but true.

On the article, he goes deeper showing us the results of a study on bad deeds. Here, people tended to pay greed forward just because it was their only way to have some payback. Subjects were aware that they can’t make the oppressor pay for their impoliteness. The only tool they got to feel better, is just to do the same to others and find some kind of relieve from their suffering.

It’s incredible to thing that after all that’s said and done our primitive desire of revenge still govern our behavior. What I find even more shocking is the fact that every day your feed on social media is loaded with words such as, RESILENCE, FLEXIBILITY, KINDNESS. Those seems to be empty words that everybody uses without even thinking about the true meaning of it. I see a lot of rude behavior on social media, that’s nothing new, but what I find even more fascinating is the fact that there’s still a lot of people reacting to kind content online, while outside their online alter ego they simply let their basic instincts take the lead and steer them towards bad deeds. There’s little to no congruence behind those kindred messages filled with hearts and happy faces. If it’s a trend on social media, why is not in real life? Who draws the line?

IT TAKES MORE THAN A "like"

We will encounter this kind of situations daily. We have to interact with people who has no affiliation with us. Is expected to get more greed forward than generosity, pitifully is has been like that for ages. We should choose wisely how we want to react to this behavior, it takes more than a “Like” and a comment, we need action and self-awareness to face this harsh reality.

Why don’t we decide to be the missing link on this chain of bitter events? His research proved that if we focus on good things, we can end this chain of bad deeds. The next time someone cuts you off on traffic, instead of being hostile, try blasting your favorite song and sing your heart out, don't be like them. It might encourage you to be one of those generous souls that can stop the greed chain for good.

If you like this kind of content, feel free to leave a "Heart." It truly makes a difference.