Stirring the Pot

I’ve noticed there are at least two types of people in the world. One attempts to reconcile all things, resolve all disputes, bring peace to all situations. The other likes to get things started, see people hash it out, and stir the pot - so to speak.

While I personally would probably land in the former, I don’t mind the existence of the latter group - with one BIG caveat. If your going to the stir pot please don’t do it just for your entertainment (which I’ve seen happen). Others are watching and people's emotions likely will get involved. You actually have no control over the outcome of what it is you’ve started, and so saying it’s “just for fun” or “no one is going to get hurt” are actually lies.

No, if you’re going to stir the pot, do it with purpose. Use it as an exercise in teaching people how to have civil conversations, or as a way to move towards a solution around a given issue. Otherwise you’re just adding to the noise, and there is quite enough of that already.