<p>Or those who don't dislike anyone or think that everyone is fundamentally good? And that at worst, people are still fundamentally "interesting" (because from one point or another, people are fundamentally "interesting", at least to someone who's very curious). </p>
<p>Yes, I can understand that people sometimes dislike others, and don't want them to be defended by a kind person. But a kind person doesn't have to defend such people (since defending someone is usually a futile exercise). </p>
<p>I also understand that this philosophy is often seen as a precursor to modern-day liberalism, and that many people are resistant to modern-day liberals. But this philosophy doesn't necessarily imply political liberalism. Many people realize that they would be happier off if they didn't care about politics (which is a zero-sum game), and refocused their efforts somewhere else.</p>
<p>But maybe it's just that most people who subscribe to that philosophy frequently end up becoming political liberals (and hating capitalism+competition)? Or is it something more than that? I think it's something A LOT more than that, since many people on Democrat/liberal-dominated forums (which is pretty much most of the Internet and most college campuses) also end up looking down on those who are kind to everyone.</p>
<p>Might it be because others think that the nice person lacks taste, for example? Or because it's not "cool"? Might it be because others think that nice people are often "fake?" (aka they often make white lies). Or that they feel unmoved by praise by someone widely regarded as nice, since they want to feel special? (it's so much easier to be moved by praise coming from someone who rarely gives praise).</p>
<p>Or simply because such person ends up associating with someone they dislike and ends up "contaminated" by that disliked person.</p>
<p>Of course, kindness to everyone does go against many evolutionary instincts. One instinct being the ingroup/outgroup instinct to be nicer to those in the ingroup than the outgroup, and to "win" over those in outgroups. And another instinct being the instinct to take revenge for someone who has done wrong, even if revenge will not correct the wrong (although many nice people will still take revenge if they feel that they are wronged, so this last sentence is besides the point).</p>
<p>I, for one thing, generally do subscribe to this type of philosophy. But I'm more libertarian than liberal, and I recognize that capitalism+competition is the best way to promote innovation (and a corresponding improvement in living standards for all). And I still do like/respect some people more than others. Still, I do think that there is something to like about everyone, even those who are most incompatible with me. I'm just sick of cultures of exclusion and hatred.</p>
Guess I should try being a raging b!tch since people will hate me either way. LOL.</p>
I’m actually not that great of a friend sometimes since I’m usually a bit hesitant to defend people (well, also, I sometimes feel uneasy when people defend me even though I’m appreciative of their defenses - since I actually appreciate certain types of negative comments about me). But most of the time it isn’t much of an issue since my friends are all over the Internet.</p>