“What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” This dubious bit of wisdom, described on YourStory, India’s entrepreneurial website, as a “powerful statement of profound wisdom,” originated with Friedrich Nietzsche, who was a confirmed cynic. He didn’t mean for us to take the phrase literally. His
It’s like the relationship of anxiety to creativity. A little bit of anxiety propels us to solve the mystery by doing something creative but too much anxiety kills the energy to be creative.
Agreed . I think Stranger not stronger . Just one vowel. And stranger rhymes with danger. And anger . Time to send in the comedy troupes. I wish George Carlin was alive . He’d speak . I know nothing . But agree . Loved this .
Great piece. Quoting Pamela Paul, although it works in your piece, gives me pause. Have you read the NYTimes article,Trans Visibility is Nice. Safety is Even Better, by Chase Strangio, a lawyer for the ACLU. Pamela Paul is getting articles on trans healthcare published that are riddled with misinformation and disproven and outdated medical info, and that is very dangerous because then the extremists use that misinformation in their arsenal as factual info for anti-trans bills/laws.
As I see it, the only way adversity can make us stronger is if it causes us to band together to support one another. Beware of the adversity that succeeds in polarizing, separating, and isolating us. Without comfort, support, and healing - stress kills!
Appreciating your point of view yet not seeing the phrase or concept as you have. I recently wrote about adversity as a lawyer and after citing what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger as a form of adversity, I went on to discuss gaining wisdom from overcoming difficulties, saying that the incongruity of what we do not want boils up to the surface to show us what we want instead and to give us the stamina and courage to go for what we want. That is the opposite of how you are viewing the phrase. I went on to say that we make it happen, whatever the it is. Our desire for something different than how it is steers us toward action.
Thanks Wayne for this needed de-glorification and de-romanticization of suffering!
I do wonder, however, about those survivors who, thanks to an inherent quality of psychological resilience, manage to emerge from horrific experiences with impressive strength and resolve. I'm thinking of certain survivors of Communist slave labour camps, like the Hungarian poet George Faludy, author of "My Happy Days in Hell". And of Holocaust survivors like Elie Wiesel, Erna de Vries, Elly Gotz, and others.
As you imply, there can be great mischief in glorifying and romanticizing suffering. However, for certain people, Nietzsche's phrase actually seems to ring true. What doesn't kill these exceptional survivors can sometimes give their lives new purpose and strength.
Absolutely true, Wayne. Thanks for putting into words, what I feel about those impacted by trauma and reminding us of the current world situation and where we are headed if we don't speak out. Thanks for the wonderful read!
It’s like the relationship of anxiety to creativity. A little bit of anxiety propels us to solve the mystery by doing something creative but too much anxiety kills the energy to be creative.
Agreed . I think Stranger not stronger . Just one vowel. And stranger rhymes with danger. And anger . Time to send in the comedy troupes. I wish George Carlin was alive . He’d speak . I know nothing . But agree . Loved this .
Great piece. Quoting Pamela Paul, although it works in your piece, gives me pause. Have you read the NYTimes article,Trans Visibility is Nice. Safety is Even Better, by Chase Strangio, a lawyer for the ACLU. Pamela Paul is getting articles on trans healthcare published that are riddled with misinformation and disproven and outdated medical info, and that is very dangerous because then the extremists use that misinformation in their arsenal as factual info for anti-trans bills/laws.
As I see it, the only way adversity can make us stronger is if it causes us to band together to support one another. Beware of the adversity that succeeds in polarizing, separating, and isolating us. Without comfort, support, and healing - stress kills!
Appreciating your point of view yet not seeing the phrase or concept as you have. I recently wrote about adversity as a lawyer and after citing what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger as a form of adversity, I went on to discuss gaining wisdom from overcoming difficulties, saying that the incongruity of what we do not want boils up to the surface to show us what we want instead and to give us the stamina and courage to go for what we want. That is the opposite of how you are viewing the phrase. I went on to say that we make it happen, whatever the it is. Our desire for something different than how it is steers us toward action.
Thanks for your thought-provoking spin.
Thanks Wayne for this needed de-glorification and de-romanticization of suffering!
I do wonder, however, about those survivors who, thanks to an inherent quality of psychological resilience, manage to emerge from horrific experiences with impressive strength and resolve. I'm thinking of certain survivors of Communist slave labour camps, like the Hungarian poet George Faludy, author of "My Happy Days in Hell". And of Holocaust survivors like Elie Wiesel, Erna de Vries, Elly Gotz, and others.
As you imply, there can be great mischief in glorifying and romanticizing suffering. However, for certain people, Nietzsche's phrase actually seems to ring true. What doesn't kill these exceptional survivors can sometimes give their lives new purpose and strength.
Absolutely true, Wayne. Thanks for putting into words, what I feel about those impacted by trauma and reminding us of the current world situation and where we are headed if we don't speak out. Thanks for the wonderful read!