A couple of weeks ago, I wrote on the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris.  More specifically, I wrote about the immediate reaction to it, with – as is now custom with almost any major event – sides immediately squaring off into a bitter debate about both the symbolism and appropriateness of some of the images.

Per usual, the two sides couldn’t even agree on the facts of the argument. It doesn’t matter. We now live in a world where “my truth” can be supplanted for objective reality.  “Fake news!” can be shouted if facts bring us displeasure. 

In that piece I asked directly, “Why do you care?”

It’s been two weeks. Do you still care?  If so, what have you done about it?

The event was clearly meant to provoke, as most works of art do.  Did they cross a line?  That’s again in the eyes of the beholder.  For the purposes of this column that’s not actually the point. 

I’ll note there was a bit of a tell in the previous piece where I referenced that I occasionally like to play Devil’s advocate on issues. It’s unfortunately one of the better ways to get people to think.  Opinion writing should always serve that purpose.  Sometimes you may agree with it, sometimes you may disagree.  It should always make you think.

The column was itself about anger.  A few of you were angred enough to send me strongly worded emails letting me know your anger was justified.  My own religious beliefs were questioned despite me going out of the way to not mention, much less characterize, the religious symbolism at the center of the debate. 

I didn’t want you to triple down on the other argument everyone else engaged on the topic was having.  I wanted you to think about why you were having it.

 So I ask again:  Do you still care?  If so, what have you done about it?

I could write an entire column about what I think the “Christian response” would be, as that seemed to be stoking the responses I was getting, explaining that I didn’t understand why the anger was justified and important.  Were I to go there – and maybe one day I will – there would likely be references to loving your neighbor, turning the other cheek, and living as an example where others would want to know more about our Christ rather than being a humorless and reactionary scold every time we feel slighted.

Instead, with the closing ceremonies gone, I’d like to reinforce the point to the first piece.  Many were baited into engaging on the argument du jour.  Many fired off missives and replies in anger. 

Large tech and media companies, as well as small social media content creators made money off this argument.  And a couple of weeks later, no one is talking about it – nor doing anything of consequence to change…anything.

Anger is easy. Anger is cheap. Anger is easy to foment, and is profitable to do so.

Changing the world is hard. It requires strategy. It needs discipline and a cool head to execute.  It requires focus and the ability to keep the number one thing the number one thing.  Above all, along the way, it requires excellent decision making.

Do you make your best decisions when you’re angry?  When you notice one of your friends is irate and about to make a snap decision that could be career ending or harmful to their family, do you urge them to act quickly or take a deep breath and think things through.

We don’t make our best decisions when we’re angry. Quite the contrary.  None of us would objectively plan to do our best at a time when we’re angry or stressed.

With respect to the cultural and governmental influences that are creeping into our everyday lives at an increasing pace, what is your plan?  What is your strategy?

If you really believe the Olympic organizers and their sponsors should be punished, what have you done about it?  Did screaming into the void for a few days help?

 It helped a bunch of others monetize your anger.  Many of them are working against you.  It’s not that they care so much about the issue.  It’s just their job to monetize your anger. 

We’re well onto other arguments now.  Some are consequential.  Some will be forgotten within hours or days.  This pattern will repeat itself well into the forseeable future. 

The next time you get ready to argue with strangers about the white hot topic of the day, ask yourself why?  What is your plan?  What will be your personal return on the energy you’re about to express?  How will you repay yourself for the anger you’re about to escalate inside yourself? 

If you can’t answer those questions, it might best to move on.  Otherwise, you’re likely to become a living passage from Shakespeare.  “It’s a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Your time and energy matter.  Take a deep breath, make a plan, and make the use of it count.