When Not to Laugh

Apropos of nothing, this post nevertheless has the form of a rant. I have noticed in several of my friends the tendency to laugh at another's mistakes, unintentional blunders, accidental failures, etc. I'm not sure why, but this really bothers me: and not because I'm frequently the one at whom people are laughing. Sure, I do silly things, mostly on purpose, and people find them funny. However, I can tell and therefore I think everyone should be able to tell, when someone is honestly embarrassed at her mistake; and it's a mean thing to make fun of her and thereby increase her misery. In fact, I am going to make a sweeping statement here: it's not well-bred to laugh at someone else unless he or she is making a joke or saying something intentionally funny. I don't care who you are. Just stop laughing rudely at people! Ask yourself, "Is my laughter good-natured or is it just mockery?" (Also, if you happen to see me do just what I am ranting against, please please call me out on it--I'm definitely asking for it.)

Concise post from another blogger

My husband forwarded this link to me today. It's a short and concise take on some of the recent Christopher West controversy. It also mentions and links to some interesting articles on the connections between Dietrch vonHildebrand, TOB and West's own approach.

TOB Tuesday: A Pivotal Question