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- Apr 10, 2015
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of course, we all recoil when it comes to public humiliation. even some theories about democracy believe that the most fundamental civil liberty and protection is that which it promotes personal dignity and prevents humiliation. but there is a subset of citizens--athletes, politicians, and other public performers--who, because they accept that they have a public persona and that it is precisely their public performance, evaluated publicly, which is most important to them, play by different rules.
If I said to a stranger: "you really suck", that person might be deeply hurt or angry. But if I yelled that to a collegiate or professional athlete, they'd far more likely just shrug and go on. Comes with the territory....
In close cabaret setting when a "comedian" is entertaining and a heckler says "you really suck" or some such term--many of those in that situation --begin a verbal attack --Jerry Lewis , made millions from that business, but didn't take insults as anything but personal --many others follow suit. Personally a person whom I didn't know making insulting comments , bothers me--when a friend does it--it cuts deeply-- Strangers will remain strangers friend insulting friends become strangers.