Q. I was in a tele-conversation juzi with a friend where we were chatting about the habits of publicly discussing other people's "issues" or vices and deriving humour from them... We didn’t exactly agree, but I was curious to have your thoughts on the topic.
A. My thoughts: avoid making or deriving humour over the personal struggles of others. For this same reason, avoid listening to or peddling stuff from DeezSleeze, Kiss have their version with Linda Nyangweso (the way she twengs that name!!!), many radio breakfast shows have similar programs or call-in sessions and another alumnus has a very popular website with articles that sometimes are of similar nature.
Q. Is that really practical?
A. By "practical" do you mean is it easy?
Q. Why avoid? Or is it a case of moral evil? And yes I mean it aint easy... coz personally I like getting or seeing what other people think. I think it makes ground for good analysis
A.
1. Dead bodies float downstream. Only live ones can swim upstream against the current.
2. Vice usually is floating downstream, virtue tends to be more difficult. That is why it is more heroic.
3. Sleeze is objectionable morally basically because it goes against the virtues of justice, and more importantly, charity. This is especially true if the sleeze is not factual and either speculative or outrightly false (slander).
4. Against justice because everyone has a constitutional right to a good reputation and a chance to defend it if it is questioned.
5. Against charity because our discussing it is not aimed at helping either them or us improve.
6. That it aint easy is not a grounds for not doing good. That's effectively the motto of laziness.
7. Hearing what others have to say is good and advisable, as long as it remains virtuous i.e. our REASON for doing it is good or virtuous or noble, our WAY of doing it is good or virtuous or noble, and the CIRCUMSTANCES are also good or virtuous or noble.
9thMay 2015