An Avalance of Livng in a Bubble Questions

 

More of "living in the bubble" questions.

1.  How do I know if I am living in a bubble?

If you are an entitled person who doesn't listen to advice, opinion, and suggestion from others especially if you don't share the same concept and values ... you are living in a bubble. You only listen to yourself ... thus you are living in an isolated world far from the rest of humanity.

Your knowledge and exposure to other people's opinions or ideas are narrow and constrained. This happens when you seldom watch TV or read newspaper columns or books authored by somebody who always challenges what you believe in. Living in a bubble or isolation is a defense mechanism that shielded you from other points of view ... because you fear that constantly listening to them will change your home-grown mindset and POV's.

2. Is living in a bubble an illness?  

It is not included in any list of psychiatric diagnoses... but isolation and the feeling of revolt seeing somebody share his ideas are signs of abnormal things to come. Be usually on guard of what you do or behave - any behavior that is less than expected ... and any reaction that is more than what is normal ... is trouble waiting to happen.

3. Why do I feel I am less familiar with the world?

This is the sad part of living in a bubble. You tried your hardest to be detached from the world around you for fear that outside views will poison your mind and change your perspective ... and here you are feeling unreal and bothered ... you felt there are things that are happening in the present you didn't realize existed. You felt left out.  That's what people say when they described they are not familiar with anything that is new ... and there seems like a fog or they were in a dream. Wake up then ... and smell the coffee ... and see what you missed!

4. Why do some people say "living in a bubble" is kind of distorted?

When living in a bubble, you have a distorted sense of reality and you feel encapsulated ... like there is a cloudy and a foggy curtain separating you that limits you from seeing the world as it is.

5. What are some ways we can do to stay out of the bubble?

For entitled people, it is not that easy but one can always try.

a. Open your TV and listen to talk shows, news, and programs that sell their opinions.

b. Follow blogs, TV hosts, podcasts, and news anchors that both have the same line of thinking as you ... and follow also those people that differ and have contradictory beliefs with you and your personal culture.

c. In the cafeteria sit with people you were not used to being with ... not just the usual set of friends or co-workers.

d. Buy your groceries in a different neighborhood.

e. If you are conservative find time to mingle with a few liberals and libertarians.

f. if you have homophobia ... try to follow some well-known LGBT's and get fresh perspectives from them.

g. if you are prejudiced or biased against a certain ethnic group ... be prepared to have coffee with Whites, Blacks, and Latinos.

Living In A Bubble Explained

We have a lot of intelligent and inquisitive followers on our blog. Yesterday we talk about self-entitled people "living in a bubble" ... and what do you know we are inundated with a lot of questions - we actually did not expect that response. I don't like to promise anything ... but I will try my best to answer those questions to the best of what I understand it.

So most of the questions can be summarized into this.  So what does it feel like to live inside the bubble? And what predisposes entitled people from choosing that lifestyle. And make it their way of life.

Living in a bubble to make the explanation simple ... means that the person has made that choice of creating a world all their own. The entitled person has only one belief ... and that is ... their way of thinking or their ideas are the creme de la creme of all ideas.  All other ideas pale in comparison to what they have. The feeling of superiority is there ... and they think of themselves as "RARA AVIS". It is as though they are delusional ...  somebody with fixed beliefs.  Introduced to them evidence that what they believe is wrong and they will go bananas.

That is why entitled people have bizarre ways of thinking ... you will be surprised where they get those ideas. Since they are entitled people ... their opinion about something are always self-serving, selfish and something that will benefit them. So it is not uncommon to hear from them outlandish ideas ... for instance ... they think adult children should not worry about working ... or looking for a decent job. 

They have that unshakable belief that it is the duty of the parents to give all financial support to whatever they need ... and this privilege doesn't have any expiration date ... meaning that for as long as their parents are alive they will continue to give them meal support and financial backing. If the parent doesn't have money ... their best response is "I don't believe that" ... so their expectations drag on till their parents' dying day.

So when entitled people became parents themselves ... holy guacamole ... is this now the time for them to practice what they preach (and what they believe in?)  Entitled people can always eat their vomit and say, "When I said that ... I meant it is the duty of parents to include us in their support ... and not only that ... but  their grandchildren as well." How convenient!

Entitled children don't like to work. They don't like to cook so they usually buy fast food ... and they stack their freezer with frozen foods, TV dinners, and ready-to-eat meals. They don't like to wash plates ... so they content themselves using disposables. They don't have money to pay for water and electricity... but look at how they use water ... they felt their water supply comes from Angat Dam.

Living in a bubble is a fantasy come true ... entitled people manage to separate themselves from the real world and the here and now... and their ideas show signs of disconnect from reality. They made their imaginary universe away from the peering eyes of critics and naysayers ... and to shield them from the Maritess of the world who can give unsolicited critiques about how they handle their life.

Living in a bubble can also refer to the way entitled people receive information. They may be the kind who sticks to a specific source of information (TV stations, newspapers, or blogs)  believing that it holds the absolute truth and therefore is superior to the rest. They are a little bit sheltered so they don't pay attention and listen to what other people say especially if what they are teaching in contradictory to their ideology and mindset. They won’t bother checking for other opinions and may try to avoid venturing to other platforms.

I tried convincing one entitled person to read my blog ... and he refused. He did not even take a peek at the pages. Knowing that I am exactly at the opposite pole ... that whatever I wrote is the antithesis and is in direct contrast to his whole being, his values, his culture, and his psyche. 

Tama nga naman siya. Bakit nga ba babasahin eh halos magkasalungat ang paniwala namin. What good will it give him ... and knowing entitled people always ask "what is the benefit?" ... so he is back in his bubble.

Slip Of The Tongue?

An occasional slip of the tongue ... or a slip of the pen is normal and is quickly forgiven by the person listening or reading... that is ... if they even notice it. Even when they do, most people most of the time will recognize a slip of the tongue or pen for what it is and realize that what you meant to say or write ... is not what you did say or write.

Hibiscus of The Day: Cherry Apploasa

Hibiscus ID: Hibiscus Single Pink

Bought From: Canaan Flower Garden

Can be Seen on Mainstreet and Abe's Orchard

Idiom Of the Day

 

Let's start using idioms or idiomatic expressions when we write. When idioms are used, it adds color and texture to language by creating images that convey meanings beyond those of the individual words that make them up. An idiom can be very colorful and make a 'picture' in our minds. It also shows the writer's familiarity with English. When you want to make your writing sound more conversational, including idioms can give your writing a more relaxed tone.

Idioms allow us to say a lot with few words. Idioms amplify your messages in a way that draws your readers in and helps awaken their senses. It adds dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing. They make your writing less monotonous and your readers will think that you are smart and knowledgeable. All the while ... you only clothe your writing with elaborate idioms to create an impact... saying too much with less. 

To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone's leg. 

One reader asked however ... if I could think of any idiomatic expression that is related to the sense of entitlement. Here it is.

IDIOM: Living in the bubble

MEANING: Living a life that is isolated from the world. A person in a bubble doesn't listen to any ideas other than himself. He does not know the events around him because he is engrossed in a cloistered world he personally created. Only for himself.

ORIGIN: This phrase dates back to  1971 when David was born and was called the "Bubble Boy".  David had SCID otherwise known as severe combined immunodeficiency. His medical management was placing him in a special structure sterile plastic bubble to avoid complications.  He died at the age of 12.

USING IT IN A SENTENCE: Entitled people are living in a bubble ... they are engrossed in ideas he himself authored. He thinks he deserves a house, an inheritance, a land, and all the luxuries this world could offer without earning it. Everything is free! How convenient! Sana all.

Tips On How To Deal With Entitled People

 

Having high expectations is perfectly normal. It becomes abnormal though when the person afflicted with entitlement syndrome assumes that all roads are going his way and it is perfectly alright to bypass authority figures (police, boss or parents.) For instance ... if you see a mango tree in the neighborhood pregnant with deliciously looking yellow fruits ... it is just over the top for you to assume that your neighbor will give you a free pass in his orchard.  Convincing yourself na "marami naman yan ... hindi nila mauubos yan" is so self-serving and downright irresponsible. In the first place did you even ASK PERMISSION? That's the bad part.

If your parent allowed you to stay in a fully furnished home ... that doesn't translate that you can do whatever you want with it. If one day you thought it would be better to place an air conditioner in the living room, mature thinking dictates normal people will consult their parents and ask permission if that is alright with them to bore a hole in the house. If you assume "okay lang yan ... mahal ako niyan ... he will never say no to me" di ba napaka-ASSUMING mo tol? Much more if you sold the house. Suma total it boils down to one thing - malala na ang sakit mo hija - wala kang respeto sa magulang mo pati na sa sarili mo.

Because of their loose morals, entitled people always find themselves alone.  Friends avoid them like plagues and because of their bloated egos and sense of entitlement, it is not uncommon that even family walk away. They are surprised that they feel chronically discontented and dissatisfied. Their unreasonable expectations always make them hostile and they have that constant feeling they have a need that needs to be filled. If their needs were not met, then the feeling of being treated unfairly envelops their whole being.

There is no clear evidence of where this sense of entitlement comes from. But I t tell you ... dealing with them is annoying ... at times debilitating ... and putting up with them is one hell of a Ferris wheel ride. Try these simple tricks and tips.  It is not a surefire formula ... but hey ... there is no harm in trying.

1. Don't give everything to the child. Parents who are submissive and whose strength of will and strength of character cracks every time the child frets or plays temper tantrums whenever he wants something play a big factor in contributing to the person's entitlement issues. Children who have not experienced resistance and were never told NO will grow up as an adult thinking this is how the world operates. Crying is their desperate way of manipulating their parents into caving into their demands.

2. Starve them and don't feed their sense of entitlement - The rule of thumb is ... if you know you are capable of doing what they are asking ... say NO if it is ill-timed and is a bother and disruptive of your timetable. If you are free and don't mind doing it - fine ... say YES. If your sibling says, he wants to borrow your money ... if you have extra ... let him borrow ... but prepare to say no if it is inconvenient and your money is already allocated to something else.

3. Helping is only for a while. If you have a relative who is evicted from the house he rented ... it is okay to say yes if they are asking to use the unused room you have in your house ... rather than see them homeless and struggling in the streets. However, give them your boundaries ... and a timetable, and pre-arrange how much time you allowed them to stay until they become self-sufficient. Tell them your expectations ... that you are not cooking for them, that they have to share the water and electric bills, and that they have to follow curfew rules and regulations, etc.

4. Don't debate. And don't get caught having a verbal fisticuff with them.  Arguing open the doors for entitled persons to flex their bullying muscles on you.  Just keep quiet and leave.  Ignore their texts and DM's.  The silent treatment is an antidote to entitled persons.

5. Be firm, assertive, and strong-willed.  If you want to say NO own it and be sure you meant it. Don't throw in the towel and raise the white flag at the slightest sign that the person is showing entitlement. Say what you feel ... and it is only you who can bring that out.

6. Treat them matter-of-factly. Meaning don't show any signs of emotion. If you see them fret and fuss ... you show them calm. If you have done something to them, they expect you to make amends and apologize ... and when they did something to you ... they expect you to understand them. They always think they were treated unfairly ... 

To all entitled people ... for a change in your entitled heavy schedule check yourself in the mirror...  just be honest ... can't you see who is being unfair?

Abraham's One Liners