Three kinds of antis
The aggressive anti
The aggressive anti is either verbally, or physically, aggressive. They attack the people they are against, either directly, when the attacks occur between known individuals, or indirectly, when they attack anyone they consider representative of those they are against – them, not us. Those who commit hate crimes, terrorists, bigots, religious fundamentalists or militant atheists. They troll, they mob, they bully and they attack.
The political anti
In democratic societies politicians frequently define themselves by saying what and who they are against (the opposition). “We will fight….” Well, what and who are they going to fight? The other guys….whoever they are, and whatever they say.
The medical anti
Fight this disease, fight that disease, eliminate this, eliminate that, control this, control that……The drugs our doctors use are usually anti-something….antibiotics, antihypertensives, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, antispasmodics…..They control or suppress disease or disorder, but they do not directly stimulate, support or maintain health. They are aimed at disease, not aimed at resilience, vitality, adaptability or wellness.
OK, if you want to be an anti, my question for you is what are you FOR?
I’d like to know, all you fight this, fight that people, what would you promote, what do you believe in, how would you like to make the world a better place by the positives you have to offer. What solutions do you propose to which problems? What is your vision of a wonderful world? Persuade me. Share your great ideas for how we can ALL have better lives. Enthuse me with your passion for what you are FOR, not what you are against.
Can you do that?
Heroes Not Zombies 
I have had some concerns too about recent advertsing in the press and TV on the lines of ‘I hate cancer….’ that stance sits uneasily with me… glad it is not just me!!
You read my mind! That’s EXACTLY what inspired this post. Check this campaign out http://www.bhf.org.uk/#&panel1-2
I think it’s dreadful. How to have a healthier heart? Get in touch with your ability to hate?. I especially feel sorry for the Professor who says he HATES his job. I know what they are trying to do BUT……
OK
As an alternative why not weigh up whatever we do by whether it makes the world we live in marginally better, in any worthwhile way eg prosperity, health, fun, culture, happiness, etc.
This is something I struggle with; the political climate in my country at the moment is such that there is so MUCH to fight against – but I’m mostly fighting against the people who are fighting against the things I’m FOR (does that make ANY sense?). Really – we’ve got anti-gay folks, anti-abortion, anti-contraception, anti-education, anti-poverty assistance – all things that I think are desperately important to protect. It feels like I spend an awful lot of energy pointing out why they’re wrong and not enough explaining why we need the things they’re working so hard to eliminate.
[…] against something. There are so many “anti-s” about and I often wonder what exactly an “anti” would say they are “pro”. What are they for, as opposed to what are they […]