Mad As Hell

“My anger is more likely to do me more harm than your wrong…Moreover, if it be the duty of the wise man to be angry at base deeds, and to be excited and saddened at crimes, then is there nothing more unhappy than the wise man, for all his life will be spent in anger and grief.”” -Seneca, On Anger

“Try to remember that when you find yourself getting mad. Anger is not impressive or tough – it’s a mistake. It’s weakness. Depending on what you’re doing, it might even be a trap that someone laid for you.” -Ryan Holiday, book The Daily Stoic

“And why should we feel anger at the world? As if the world would notice!” -Euripides

In 1976, Howard Beale got up on live television and screamed “I’m Mad As Hell And I’m Not Gonna Take It Anymore!!!” And then he urged us to get up, go open our windows, and scream those same words.

It’s nearly fifty years later and we’re still mad as hell. Angrier than we’ve ever been. But the question is, what are we doing with all this anger?

Are we just taking it? Because that’s what the media wants. Get angry and then “take” these two pills to feel better. (Ever notice just how many pharmaceutical ads run during the nightly news?)

Or.

Are we taking that anger and using it as fuel to affect real, positive change in the world?

P.S. – Big thanks to John K. and the Vs. gang for a sizzling Tuesday Night Reading of “Network” yesterday, and inspiring this post.