Hope Blog 3

I do not believe that there is a black and white answer to the question about fighting against overwhelming odds. As with many questions, there are different situations that seem right.
There are times when fighting against the odds seems to be the right thing to do. I believe that this is true, but only in a few situations. The first situation is where the only real solution is too fight, meaning that those attacking you will kill you, whether you surrender or not. The second situation is where a few people continue the fight and sacrifice themselves so that even more will be able to escape with their lives. The third and final situation is reminiscent of the three hundred Spartans sacrifice. Where a defending force will fight against overwhelming odds, not only to save fellow countrymen, but also to inspire those same people and fill them with hope and pride.
Aside from those very few situations, I believe that it is foolish to try and fight an enemy who his far stronger than you. If surrender is an option (with the stipulation that they let you live) then it should be taken. Not only is fighting against greater odds foolish, but forcing others to do the same or giving into pressure to do the same is as foolish. In these situations I am not just talking about being outnumbered, I am also talking about being outgunned and outmaneuvered. If a group of people are just outnumbered but have better weapons or can move around easier, then it is a very real solution to carry on the fight and have a good chance of beating the enemy (as in the American Revolution).
Honor is never more important than life. Humans should never have such a large ego that they are willing to sacrifice their life for their honor. Dying an honorable death (such as dying in battle) is only better when it prevents the capture of more people, or if you will be killed dishonorably in surrender. Even worse than dying for your honor, is making others die in order to protect your honor. Rather than sacrifice other peoples lives, either die honorably yourself, or surrender dishonorably. Something nearly as dumb, is dieing for someone else’s honor. Their honor does not matter to you, nor should it, so dieing for it is an act of stupidity.
For the most part, fighting against greater odds is a dumb thing to do, and, if possible, the lesser force should just surrender to the larger force, to avoid large amounts of casualties. In the few times that it is right to fight against greater odds, they will still suffer casualties. Humans ego should never be so large that they are

Social Me Blog 3

It is difficult not to care what people think about us because what they think of us influences what we think of ourselves. Though people may say that they do not care what others think of them, the truth is they do, they just don’t respond to what the others are saying. If you get told something enough times and by enough people, regardless if it is true or not, eventually you will begin to believe it yourself. Thus, people who are always told how great they are, will begin to believe it and will consider themselves to be great and possibly better than others. Whereas those who are told bad things about themselves, might begin to believe it too and think of themselves in a negative light, or not as good as others. This can lead to problems between people or lead to mental problems with people. Another problem is that sometimes friends will be joking and one will not understand that it is friendly banter and will take it seriously. That is why people need to know when others are joking, or when they are being serious with what they are saying. Our desire to have others approve of us is also a reason as to why we listen to what others say. We hear what they say in a hope that we could improve upon ourselves and eventually get approval from our peers. Sometimes listening to your peers can help you. You can start doing things better, whether it’s a social change or a change related to school or work. However, there are limits. Caring too much about something said about you can lead you to do something that is wrong, or makes you a worse person. Worse yet, someone could get so caught up in what others think of him or her that they become a slave to those people. Doing whatever they are told to try and get peer approval.
Whether we admit to it or not, we do listen to what others say, even it is cruel, what the others are saying is often based off of how they view you. If you are constantly interrupting or making really stupid comments, people will think of you that way and will try to avoid you. If you are quiet and removed then your peers will think of you as an isolated person. Many people may complain about what people think of them, but a lot of the time they should look at how they act first and if they see the other person’s thoughts are well based, then they should change their behavior. People also see how others view them, and if they don’t like what others think of them and care enough about the other person’s opinions, then they adjust their behavior, which clearly shows how others opinions can affect you, positively or negatively