Unlike Will Smith and the Tabasco mosquito (1998 Super Bowl commercial), wise folks ponder before plunging.
Both made impulsive choices with long term consequences.
When Chris Rock joked about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss, calling her “G. I. Jane 2” at the 2022 Oscar’s, Will bowed up like a banty rooster and strutted to the stage.
He slapped the comedian host on prime time TV and yelled obscenities.
94th Academy Awards Oscars Show/Brian Snyder/ReutersThe Tabasco mosquito in the famous Super Bowl commercial acted on a similar impulse.
Plunge in. Blow up.
Will Smith did the same thing. He plunged in and blew up . ..
- decency
- respect
- character
Plunging before mulling can ruin your life and your reputation.
Especially when it comes to impulse.
Chris Rock is a no-holds barred comic.
Will Smith is suppose to be a respected award winning actor.
Check out these ancient guidelines for managing impulses.
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Pr. 19:11
“Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” Pr. 12:16
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Pr. 14:29
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Pr. 15:18
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Pr. 16:32
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Pr. 17:14
The wise interpret episodes like a video rather than a Snapchat.
Episodes are connected like a video.
But, seeing an episode like a Snapchat trips a landmine of permanent consequences.
“Wisdom is seeing tomorrow’s consequences of today’s events.” Babylonian Talmud, tractate Tamid
This is really tough in our media culture today because our decision making habits have declined into what Douglas Rushkoff, in his book Present Shock (2013), calls “the short forever.” The Snapchat age has rolled us into a careless culture prone to impulse.
Seeing direction is hard. Deciding wisely even harder.
Does experience produce good judgement? If so, why do so many experienced folks end up far from where they intend?
I agree, Steve. My heart sank when I saw what Will Smith did. Thankfully, he apologized and publicly acknowledged his mistake. A rarity! Still, King Richard played the joker, and it wasn’t funny.
Thanks for your comment Wayne. Didn’t see the movie, King Richard, and now I don’t want to.