Write about the last disagreement you had with a friend or family member — from their perspective.
The last real disagreement I had was with someone I’ve wanted to not have these disagreements with but find myself utterly incapable of avoiding. In their perspective I am just too young and too idealistic, too liberal, too bleeding heart for my own good and if I would just listen I would see how rational and logical the other side is and agree.
But I just can’t. Instead of perpetuating the discord I told him that I was willing to talk about any subject but that one. That I am done. In fact, I’m tired of politics in general. Talking to anyone else about politics is an exercise in monologue delivery. Nobody is listening, nobody wants to listen. So firmly entrenched and really, when it comes down to it, who am I to suggest it be any other way? Life is comfortable in the way that it has come to be. Railing against a comfortable life is disrespectful and fruitless.
As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned that arguments are stupid. If there is a disagreement, it’s best to cease discussions and avoid the subject in the future. When it comes up, change subjects. If it’s unavoidable, fake either a medical emergency or configure your phone to go off and fake another kind of emergency. People are far too interested in trolling and getting a rise out of others for their jollies than taking anyone else seriously. Avoid politics, religion, and the climate. Everything else doesn’t matter and doesn’t end up as fodder for arguments. There are some questions posed to anyone that are ticking time bombs. Things like “What do you think of Abortion?” Those kinds of questions, if they ever come up should be a clear signal to anyone who wishes to save their own hide to flee as fast and as far away from that particular ground zero as you can possibly get. If you have to throw yourself out the window, then by all means, prepare for a drop.
Another thing that I’ve learned is that even if you can’t escape, even if you can’t fake a seizure or a stroke, if your phone can’t get you out of the briar-patch that you’ve found yourself stuck in, there is always glorious liquor. Find something around 80 proof and let it carry you away. Nothing beats alcoholism when you are trapped with no way to escape. They may have your body, but they won’t ever have your alcohol-addled mind.