Negativity

   As usual, there's a lot the natural world can teach us about ourselves. Now, I know I'm no expert on electricity or any of that arcane physics stuff (honestly, I found the mindset of those who do enjoy that sort of thing to be dangerously limited in viewpoint and disheartening. Not to say that's always the case, but it's the lesson experience has taught). I do, however, know about electrons.

  Electrons are the particles that lie on the very outside of an atom, clinging to the surface and hitching rides on everything it comes into contact with, but never going below the surface and actually interacting with the actual atom itself. It's what causes the unpleasant "static shock" we're all familiar with. Here's the funny thing, though, and it's no coincidence: in the terms used by electrical engineers, electrons have a NEGATIVE charge. This is no coincidence.

  Like electrons, negativity lurks absolutely everywhere, spreads easily, and gives a sharp and nasty shock when it does. That's why we have to make ourselves immune to it. Once again, this is a conscious CHOICE. Negative people have a way of hiding their true nature, sometimes. Their pessimistic opinions are presented as jokes, and they can drop their malicious demeanor instantly to put up a friendly facade if they feel they'll be discovered. And yet, their words will rub off until they sucks the energy out of anyone else. There are warning signs, of course. Note their tastes. Do they seem attracted to negative music, for example? Radiohead, Iron Maiden, Nirvana, AC/DC, and similar are often indicators of serious underlying negativity. The same applies to books, movies, and activities.

  Unfortunately, negativity has infiltrated our society at a base level and has become very socially acceptable. One only need look at popular characters such as the overrated Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's Marvin the Paranoid Android, or award-winning TV shows such as House MD, which glorify negative personalities as role models. I was appalled lately, after finally getting around to the highly praised BBC show Sherlock, to find that the classic detective has been re-imagined as a rude, self-centered, and almost sociopathic egomaniac.

  One of my primary reasons for opposing ownership of guns (sorry to get political, but it's the truth) is that there is nothing more negative than a firearm. Its whole purpose is one violence and destruction. It's impossible to see a gun without knowing what it can do, and being affected by it. There are no positive aspects to it, and there's no coincidence that gun ownership is tied to so many other negative behaviors.

   Another warning symptom of negativity is the language someone uses. Do they swear frequently? Swearing is a product of negativity, although it's one I've found frequently is just as often symptomatic of spending time in a negative environment rather than actual internal negativity. Do they focus on small details, rather than appreciate something for what it is and forgive the flaws. Be careful. A negative person only wants you to become like them, because they're lonely. They don't recognize that values such as love, selflessness, and actual friendship are the rarest and most difficult qualities to find, and are naturally the most important. And even when you're the sole spark of positivity in a negative environment, you must do what you can to preserve it.

  Of course, you know me. I like to end on a positive note. And that is this: negativity can't win, because it's naturally weaker than anything positive. Again, electricity teaches us this. Electrons have weak bonds which exert little force and are easily broken, while their positive counterparts, protons, are too strong to be broken. Negativity gives way to sloppiness, cowardice, and lack of motivation. To be positive is to have an inner strength which can't be stopped. So shine on, you crazy diamonds.