Well, That's Just Your Opinion...

Here is a paraphrasing of a very recent conversation. I should have know what I was getting myself into...

Mother: Why don't you come help me do this.

Me: Why don't you ask me.

Mother: I just did, didn't I?

Me: Let me rephrase myself. Would you please ask me to help you?

Mother: Oh. Ha Ha Ha. Would you please get your ass up and come help me?

And another...

Mother: If you get tired of being unproductive, I've got some stuff you could help me do.

Me: Oh, ok. Thanks, but I'm okay for now.

Mother: Oh, that's fine. You don't have to help me. You know where I'll be when you get tired of being lazy.

Me: I'm doing what I would like to be doing. Is there anything wrong with that?

Mother: I guess not, but do you think I like cleaning? I've got other stuff I need to be doing and it would just be nice to have your help.

Me: So that's why you seem to be trying to manipulate me with emotional strings?

Mother: I don't think I like your attitude. And I really don't think we need to be talking about this right now.

Me: Why not? We're already talking about it. I feel it's pretty important since I feel like you've been manipulating me this same way my whole life.

Mother: I feel like you're being an ungrateful ass.

Me: How can you say I'm being an ass? ... Well ok, I can see your point there. But how am I being ungrateful? You're attempting to compel my actions while I'm content to let you do whatever you want to do. You've done this ever since I was little.

Mother: Well, I am your mother. I just wanted you to help me clean. You're the one bringing up all of this silly business about your childhood. But while we're on it, you were made to help because everyone has to do their part to get things done. There are things I don't want to do, but I do them.

Me: But aren't you the one who thinks they need to be done? What if I don't agree. I never thought what you had me doing was necessary. I would have been much happier doing whatever else I wanted to do, or at least being asked politely to do things.

Mother: Well, excuse me for not asking for your help within your accepted framework of rules. But you have to do what your parents say.

Me: I've never seen a law of nature saying that children must dutifully obey their parents. It just so happens that this is what everyone expects. I do not feel compelled to comply.

Mother: Well, that's just your opinion...

Me: Yes, it is... And isn't that your opinion?... So what makes your opinion more correct? Why must I comply with your opinion?

Mother: I don't know, but you're being ungrateful and I'm done with this conversation. [storms off]

And finally...

Mother: Look, I'm done talking about this! I've got things to do and you're here trying to make me feel guilty!

Me: No I'm not. You shouldn't feel guilty about the facts of reality. Things are what they are and I'd like to discuss them honestly. If you're feeling guilty, maybe there's a reason. If I ask you a question, will you reply honestly?

Mother: Nick, I am always honest with you!

Me: Then why are you yelling at me? Isn't yelling abusive? Is one supposed to yell at the people that they love?

Mother: Well maybe it is... But I don't like the person you are right now!

Me: Who am I right now?

Mother: You're attacking me when I don't want to even be talking about this! You're the one being abusive!

Me: How am I being abusive?

Mother: Because you're stressing me out when I don't want to be stressing out!!!

Me: So "Stressing someone out" when they "don't want to be stressing out" is considered abusive?

Mother: ... I don't know... MAYBE!

Me: Well... I see. I'm not sorry for what I've said but I'm sorry for how I've said it. [end]

My mother will no longer make eye contact with me despite the fact that I do not avert my eyes from her from the second that she enters the same room until she leaves. She will not speak a word to me. She has told me once and for all everything that I need to know about her character. I've said that once before, but in the interest of sadistic science, I wanted to be absolutely sure that I was right. Is she a bad person? I don't know. I'd like to think not. Is she a person that is worth one more minute of the finite time I've left on this planet? Absolutely not.

I posted this as an example of how philosophy can help you break out of the most maximum-security prison ever conceived. It is the most powerful tool you will ever wield.