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Before You Leave That Nasty IG Comment, Read This

if you want to understand someone's perspective, be open to their perspective and ask to understand not to prove them wrong

Maya Vadell

Apr 08, 2020

Rutgers University

Before You Leave That Nasty IG Comment, Read This

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I follow this art account on Instagram that showcases various art accounts. The day I happened to be scrolling around Instagram, one of their posts was from a taxidermy account. Being a vegetarian, the aspect of killing animals and removing their fur just to make a fake version of the animal sounded outright horrid to me, so naturally I had to check out their page. I looked around on the page a bit and, of course, went to the comment section and oh boy was there some drama. You had a mix of triggered vegans and animal rights activists, die-hard hunters and, as usual, trolls. One thing I didn't see however was the why. What was even the purpose of taxidermy and why the heck where these people even doing it? So I did what no one else seemed to do: I left a comment asking them.

I asked them!

Instagram comment screenshot

Maya Vadell

The thing is though, I asked with a desire to understand. Being the hardcore vegetarian I am who is taking strides towards being vegan, I could have literally filled this question with so much hate and bitterness. But you see, that's not really a question at that point. In my opinion, when people ask questions like that, they are not going to listen to the answer. Only when we seek to understand can we truly understand. So I put my emotions aside and shot my shot.

And they replied

Instagram comment screenshot

Maya Vadell

Shout out to racks_n_tracks_taxidermy for kindly answering my question. I went from quietly hating on them to being BLOWN AWAY by what it is they do. Even though hunting doesn't exactly jive with my beliefs, I 100% respect the idea of hunting for food and then bringing the animal "back to life," as a form of respect and appreciation for the animal. Compared to the horribly processed meat most people buy in the store today without a second thought to animal welfare, this is a breath of fresh air.

The take-away here, if you want to understand someone, be open to their perspective and ask to understand not to prove them wrong. I'm willing to bet that, more often than not, you'll be surprised by what you learn.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Before You Leave That Nasty IG Comment, Read This

if you want to understand someone's perspective, be open to their perspective and ask to understand not to prove them wrong

In This Article:

I asked them!

And they replied

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It's not just business as usual.

Constantly having to dress business formal.

Group projects.

Applying for internships.

Being told your major is easy.

You just want to be rich already.

Explaining to people why you're a business major.

Using LinkedIn like it's Facebook.

You grow up too fast.

Trying way too hard to make a good impression on companies at career fairs.

Many of your professors have foreign accents.

You don't want to graduate, but you know that you're more than ready.

10 things that most incoming college freshmen have no idea about.

Your Schedule

The Library

Time Management

Registration

Housing

The Dining Hall

Teachers

Clubs

High School Friends

Finals

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

You can't just go to your room to take a nap in the middle of your classes.

Having to spend all your extra cash on gas for your car.

Speaking of money, you probably don't have a meal plan so you're forced to scrounge up some change or mooch off of your friends.

It can be harder to maintain the friendships you make with people from class.

Finding a parking spot.

It can be harder to be involved on campus because between your one, two, or three jobs and school you don't have much free time.

When you try to be super involved on campus, it can kill your sleep schedule.

It's impossible to do homework at home, but staying on campus isn't an option sometimes.

There are surveys and events that you can't participate in because you're a commuter.

Group projects are the bane of your existence.

Traffic.

Your backpack rivals that of a survivalist trekking in the woods.

Driving all the way to campus to find a note on the door of your classroom saying class was cancelled.

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

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