The_Bald t1_j9k56mc wrote on February 22, 2023 at 4:02 PM

Reply to comment by KarateFace777 in What are in your opinion the scariest objects / occurrences in our universe? by SpaceCinema_

You're toting around some big, doomer energy there my friend. The Earth could be eradicated by any random cosmic event that we lack the ability to predict. Poisoning your present with a future you cannot know is a real waste of the tiny bit of time you have here in this universe.

Next time I would advise you not give in to that urge to look into these sorts of things, not until you can accept there's no point in getting bent out of shape by the unpredictability of life. You are alive today -- if you can find some way to enjoy even a fraction of it then you have won. This isn't some toxic positivity spiel, this is a reminder to take care of and be aware of yourself.

tuokcalbmai t1_j9kb790 wrote on February 22, 2023 at 4:41 PM

It seems like you are coming from a place of compassion, but at the same time are you gatekeeping fear? That’s messed up. Existential dread is for everyone.

The_Bald t1_j9kjuh9 wrote on February 22, 2023 at 5:35 PM

>I'm not sure if this absurd thing I came up with is actually what you meant, but just in case it is, here is what I would say about it if I was right.

That aside, no, not at all. Fear is, as you say, very natural. Intentionally looking into topics you know will upset you is not. That's why I referenced doom-scrolling with 'doomer energy'. They start off their comment lamenting about how afraid of this thing they are, then come back and say "bad news everyone, it's actually really bad. This thing that might happen would ruin our lives, destroy society, and it could happen!". That's not just fear. If we're in the sport of irrationally reading into things -- I'd call that fear-mongering.

Me cautioning them against seeking out information that will upset them is not gatekeeping, it is very much me looking out for someone who does not seem to be doing too well. It is what we all have to do in the information age and the subset of social media.