Shitstorms

Summary

The article discusses strategies for dealing with difficult people, referred to as "assholes," and their negative behavior, termed "shitstorms."

Abstract

The article "Shitstorms: Learning how to survive" by Nicole Barden, dated 2/17/2021, addresses the inevitability of encountering unpleasant individuals and their disruptive behavior in life. Barden suggests that while one might attempt to defuse such situations, it's often better to prepare for the inevitable confrontation. The author emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power one has in choosing to either endure the negative interactions or to remove oneself from the presence of such toxic individuals. The piece concludes with the assertion that people who exhibit assholish behavior are often weak and insecure, projecting their own issues onto others, and that individuals have the agency to decide whether to tolerate such behavior or to cut ties and "flush" these negative influences from their lives.

Opinions

The author believes that attempting to diffuse a situation with a difficult person may only delay the conflict.
Barden implies that assholes are aware of their behavior and take pride in it, as indicated by the "gleam in their eye."
The article suggests that assholes create their own negative environments and need to involve others in their issues to avoid being consumed by their own negativity.
It is the opinion of the author that individuals have the choice to either remain in the presence of toxic people or to actively distance themselves from such influences.
The author's stance is that assholes are fundamentally insecure and use their behavior to cope with their own weaknesses and emotional turmoil.

Learning how to survive

In a world in which assholes exist you must be prepared for shitstorms.

Usually, you can tell when a shitstorm is about to happen, because the asshole has a gleam in their eye.

The gleam says, “I am going all in on my assholery, so buckle up, buttercup.”

Trying to diffuse the situation works sometimes, yet with diffusion comes a backlog of shit that will be spewed on the next go round.

It is best to brace for the shitstorm.

Don’t forget that you are aware of what is happening and you need to decide

Are you going to ride it out or head for cover?

Remember, Most assholes are just weak people who are full of shit.

They need to spread their shitty feelings and ideas so, they are not swallowed up by the toilet as they swirl in a cesspool of their own creation.

You eventually will realize that

You can choose whether you continue to be around assholes and deal with their shitstorms, or wash your hands of them as you flush them out of your life.

— Nicole Barden 2/17/2021