Theory of arrogance

**~~seagypsy~~** · 08-05-12, 04:07 PM

I have been on a quest of personal improvement for a long time. And one challenge I have always dealt with is arrogance. Something we all suffer from from time to time. But in all my "glorious self appraisal" at seeing myself as being open minded, non judgmental, fair, and liberal, I then sit back and think, WOW I am becoming so freaking awesome! then I realize, crap, just felt arrogant again. So I am coming to develop a theory that arrogance is a form of energy. Because it cannot seem to be created nor destroyed, it can simply be transformed to manifest itself in different ways or transferred to others.

What do you guys think?

(Just for the record, this is intended to be lighthearted and yes I am poking fun at myself here, cuz Im just that freakin funny to myself.)

**KilljoyKlown** · 08-05-12, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by seagypsy

I have been on a quest of personal improvement for a long time. And one challenge I have always dealt with is arrogance. Something we all suffer from from time to time. But in all my "glorious self appraisal" at seeing myself as being open minded, non judgmental, fair, and liberal, I then sit back and think, WOW I am becoming so freaking awesome! then I realize, crap, just felt arrogant again. So I am coming to develop a theory that arrogance is a form of energy. Because it cannot seem to be created nor destroyed, it can simply be transformed to manifest itself in different ways or transferred to others.

What do you guys think?

(Just for the record, this is intended to be lighthearted and yes I am poking fun at myself here, cuz Im just that freakin funny to myself.)

So when you are looking in the mirror, do you say to yourself "You are an arrogant bitch", and then you get that small crooked smile and think to yourself "glad nobody can hear my thoughts"?

Well there is what others think of you, then there's what you think of yourself and the real you is somewhere in between those two views.

**sammyboy56** · 08-05-12, 06:36 PM

I wouldn't call that arrogance. It's only arrogance if you start to belittle others and act is if you can do no wrong, can't mistakes, and if either of those two happens, believe it's someone or something else's fault and not yours.

I know how this is, I feel the same way sometimes

**R1D2** · 08-05-12, 06:41 PM

arrogance[ ar-uh-guh ns ]
noun
1.*offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.
ar·ro·gance
Pronunciation: \ˈer-ə-gən(t)s, ˈa-rə-\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions

I don't think you are overbearing yet.

**KilljoyKlown** · 08-05-12, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by sammyboy56

I wouldn't call that arrogance. It's only arrogance if you start to belittle others and act is if you can do no wrong, can't mistakes, and if either of those two happens, believe it's someone or something else's fault and not yours.

I know how this is, I feel the same way sometimes

Welcome to the forum Sam. The following demonstrates arrogance.

Eminem: Superman (lyrics)

There is a much more risque video that you will find right under this one in the YouTube list.

**R1D2** · 08-05-12, 09:17 PM

ImO Hitler seemed arrogant. You don't seem to compare so don't try...

**Trooper** · 08-06-12, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by Seagypsy

What do you guys think?

When people mistake unreliable introspection for genuine self-knowledge, the result can be an illusion of superiority over other people, for example when each person thinks they are less biased and less conformist than the rest of the group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias_blind_spot

Most people, including myself, are not very good scientists. We all have the tendency to collect information that confirms rather than disconfirms our desired hypotheses.

Although, self-serving biases are occasionally calculated to influence or defend a desired self-perception, usually they are not intentional. Most of the time, we are not even consciously aware of them. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Self-serving biases can enhance our self-esteem, confidence, motivation, etc. We all partake. Albeit, some more than others.

Todos somos humanos!

**kwhilborn** · 08-06-12, 10:35 AM

Arrogance would be anger, and possibly a jealousy type anger. If you spent 1000 hours (exaggeration)learning or practicing something and some "newb" (arrogant term) came along and expected to be a pro at it in two or three hours and/or shows off their skills in the area you might get angered and respond with arrogance. You may have other reasons for feeling superior including race, religion, sex, education, but the arrogance reaction is always anger based.

**KilljoyKlown** · 08-06-12, 11:00 AM

What about Science Forum arrogance? I'm sure none of us would have to look very hard to find some on any science forum.

**spidergoat** · 08-06-12, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by seagypsy

I have been on a quest of personal improvement for a long time. ...

That's your problem right there. Just be yourself.

**Saturnine Pariah** · 08-06-12, 01:05 PM

imagesCAE8P20E.jpgSea-Gypsy, Why should you change knowing that everyone else may never even attempt to change their mannerisms. Crazy double standard right? I guess what i'm really try to say is why should you change yourself to appease others, fuck the lot of them and be yourself.

**KilljoyKlown** · 08-06-12, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Saturnine Pariah

imagesCAE8P20E.jpgSea-Gypsy, Why should you change knowing that everyone else may never even attempt to change their mannerisms. Crazy double standard right? I guess what i'm really try to say is why should you change yourself to appease others, fuck the lot of them and be yourself.

Why indeed, however how did you get the impression she wanted to change for others? My impression was that her wanting to improve herself was a personal goal of hers for her herself. Regardless of what anyone says about wanting to change and improve, you have to want to do it for yourself or you will fail at it. Kind of like a smoker trying to quit for someone else.

**Saturnine Pariah** · 08-06-12, 02:09 PM

It may seem like it's just "self" improvement but the introspection can lead to you considering other’s opinions of your behavior. Once that enters the process you may inadvertently change certain traits that should have been left well alone. This is why I rarely have any care for other's views of me. You could love me, hate me, think I’m a arrogant sarcastic misanthropic dogmatic atheistic person...but you know what...if any of that offends you all I have to say is this “If I have ever offended you I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that I truly, truly don’t give a shit.”

**~~seagypsy~~** · 08-06-12, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Saturnine Pariah

It may seem like it's just "self" improvement but the introspection can lead to you considering other’s opinions of your behavior. Once that enters the process you may inadvertently change certain traits that should have been left well alone. This why I rarely have any care for other's views of me. You could love me, hate me, think I’m a arrogant sarcastic misanthropic dogmatic atheistic person...but you know what...if any of that offends you all I have to say is this “If I have ever offended you I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that I truly, truly don’t give a shit.”

Actually the motivation for changing is so that I am not just like the people who I loathe. I have worked hard to change for me. My pet peeve is hypocrisy. I can't very well justify my disgust for certain behaviors if I participate in the same said behaviors. It falls in line with fixing myself before trying to fix anyone else. I doubt I will ever be fully satisfied with myself. Perfection is not humanly possible. But I have a personal desire to get as close to it as I possibly can. Trust me it is not for the approval of others. Because quite frankly the more improvement I make the fewer people like me. But I don't mind so much because the people that don't like me, well the feeling is mutual. So it is helping in keeping people I dislike away from me. And overall, if i end up with no friends at all, I am still more comfortable with myself than I used to be. I can sleep at night. That is what matters most to me. I have the same feeling about whether or not I offend others as you do. But the self improvement is part of who I am. The desire to be as close to perfect as I can be is part of who I am. So If all other people fell away from the world, I would still strive to improve on myself.