Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for January 18, 2025

Rat’s trying to construct a barrier between himself and the rest of us.

Reminds me of a vicar’s wife I used to know who would start by saying, “I’m not being funny but…” and you knew what came next would indeed NOT be funny. Instead it would be rude, hurtful and usually none of her business. Then she’d say, “I’m only saying!” as if that somehow excused saying it.

I run into that problem on social media where I am smarter than anyone else, but people tell me that I’m stupid.

Goats answer and his perfectly calm demeanor was so perfect!

I don’t think I’m smarter than everyone else. I know I am.

Perfect example of political “discussion” these days. Nothing more than propagandized putdowns between people programmed by identity politics.

Rat found it constructive, anyway…

Is Rat going to break into song? ♫ I feel giddy, Oh, so giddy, I feel giddy and witty and bright! And I pity Any rat who isn’t me tonight. ♫

Rat’s a Fart smeller, I mean a smart feller!

Rat just described himself perfectly.

I’m rubber, you’re glue.

That was more like deconstructive criticism…as in tearing down.

At least he’s not a troll

When you hear criticism (or praise), it’s important to consider the source of that criticism (or praise). [Oftentimes criticism says (reveals) more about the critic than the one being criticized.]

People that like confrontation amaze me. I hate it and look to avoid it whenever possible. It’s taken me a long time to learn that you sometimes have to do it to keep things from getting worse, but most of the time I work to find ways around it. I volunteer with someone who’s the opposite. She loves it and goes right at it. It blows my mind.

Social media is full of constructive criticism.

I also call it passive aggression.

I can take constructive criticism, but not from everyone – for sure not from Rat.

Constructive criticism is just a polite way of insulting people

In the Rat—verse, that’s constructive.

That was definitely more criticism than constructive.

It has for Karen’s everywhere for years.

Apparently some people cannot handle constructive criticism. That’s what this bat is for.

Rat was polite enough to try to explain it. Take that as a win.

Maybe if you looked each other when you talked.?..it’s a start

Another useful passive-aggressive technique is to ask: “May I speak frankly?” If they say yes, then you can say whatever you want, without fear of repercussion.

Oh, yes, he was lead architect on the former Twin Towers.

Giddy up!

It is entirely possible for one to be much smarter than the rest of us and still be stupid. There was a “thought of the day” on the “a word a day” website by AnuGarg (the website, not the thought) that I really like. Paraphrasing here, We are all stupid, at least occasionally. Wisdom consists of learning to minimize the amount of time we spend being stupid.

Constructive criticism for Goat: Avoid Rat.

Sounds like envy to me.