Xerxys

Captain don't care was a phrase I heard on the radio a while back and taking from this thread, I was wondering how much bothers TFPer's.

Please, be honest. I'm not talking minor annoyances such as your microwave being from hell or the DMV being a portal to the underworld. I would like to go in the context of from actual race to color of clothing that people wear to celebrity star's on the CNN tube.

I have to say, I would like to think that not much bothers me but I would be lying. I hate criticism, most especialy from one who doesnt want to help but simply point out your wrong without any indeapth insight. I most especially despise loud people. I judge them everywhere I go. Yes. I judge like a mother fucker and I'm mostly harsh. Last but not least, I judge on the spot fat people, it's unfair I know and 5 minutes into talking to the person I tell myself they aren't fat because they want to be and it goes away. My first impressions are usually those of cynicism and closed mindedness. Worst of all, I size people up by their achievements. I somehow got a hardhead that refused to accept many of the parables that I felt were too shortsighted and only suited the person making the argument.

Because of this I realize I am immensely socially short sighted. But it doesnt last long. For you to be subject to my negativity you actually have to talk to me. I'm kinda like a cross between Gregory House and Monk, now, if you combiune the two, and take away the genius aspect.... yep, that's me. I dont mean pessimist like this ...

..., I mean downright grinch of all that is alive. I have started becoming less of a pessimist over the days. And frankly, this has helped a lot in understanding many things. Even technical things that don't require interaction.

My thoughts on the matter are, a positive outlook isn't "all in your head". A positive outlook enhances the ability of comprehension. Which then gets you better results.

So TFPer's spill.... what are your darkest vices. What bothers you about yourself as well as others. Have you become wise enough to be "captain don't care"? And also, what does "captain don't care" mean to you? Does it mean it's allright to have an opinion or you just downright couldnt give a s**t about anyone you dont know across the street?

Willravel

I'm occasionally tempted to allow my nature to slip into true pessimism, but my inner child is way too strong to put up with it. I like to try and maintain a balance; pragmatism: equal parts expect the best and prepare for the worst.

Martian

I don't really know what Captain Don't Care means, but I have made a conscious effort to (in the words of Chuck Palahniuk) master the art of letting that which does not matter slide.

People make all kinds of choices. Some of them I wouldn't make for myself. I can't imagine following the lifestyle combination of poor eating habits and laziness that leads to obesity (disclaimer: a very small portion of the people who are obese have no control over their condition; I understand this, but at the same time, they serve as a sort of shelter for the larger 'I'm just big boned!' majority). But I won't judge someone for choosing to live that way. It's not for me. Some of my lifestyle choices aren't for others. Why should I waste time and energy worrying about what other people decide to do?

In the same vein, I long ago gave up worrying what people think of me. Ironically, I seem to be much more widely respected since I stopped caring what people think. It allows me to speak my mind and be who I want to be, which are traits that seem to be valued. Regardless, if I want to do something and there's no good reason not to, I do it.

And lastly, when it comes to events I make a conscious effort to evaluate what's truly important and act accordingly. My litmus test is to ask myself what the long term effects of something are. Am I likely to care about this a week from now? 6 months from now? 2 years from now? One of the things I've discovered from this is that most things aren't nearly as important as people seem to think they are. It's not worth letting the little things ruin your day. The girl at the deli forgot the mustard on your sandwich, or the drink machine ate your quarter. Big deal. Another tragedy will come along in a few hours and then you'll forget all about it.

When you figure out how to separate the important things from the trivia, everything shifts. I have a roof over my head. I have good food to eat, and a warm body to crawl into bed next to. I have a job that pays the bills, I have a craft to pour my passion and energy into. These are the things that are important to me. Everything else is just so much noise.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Xerxys

Thanks for the replies. "Captain don't care" was used loosely to describe someone who just doesn't care at all. Because the phrase just doesn't exist. I guess everyone can use it to describe themselves in any way they want as some sort of measuring scale.

I mean to ask to what extent do vices generally associated with being closed minded do you think you might have about yourself? Also how have you dealt with them lately?