I was reading stuff in the GTC Wisdom section and particularly enjoyed his recount of his sojourn to Las Vegas (isn’t that city known for something?). He titled it:
"The magic of GTC" by Timmer
and in it he explained his use of what we all know as "The Golden Rule." Most reasonably intelligent people consider this a good rule of thumb when dealing with others, both as a social lubricant and to get the person to like you or at least treat you more fairly to your face. The in depth inquirer finds that the Golden Rule actually holds traps and if followed literally may cause a person to hate you or at the very least write you off as somebody they NEVER want to get to know.

It is akin to "Shoot first and ask questions later." Or in wartime: "Do unto others before others have a chance to do unto you!" Or benignly (seems harmless, sounds beneficial, but acts as would ideological poison). As two examples let us consider LOVE and FREEDOM. At best, most individuals involve themselves in a twisted, highly volatile state of love-hate with and against their own self, and from the self emanates all possible treatment of others. Usually, for reasons I very poorly understand, the magic/love of childhood wears off (or is programmed culturally out of that person) by age 13, to be replaced by serious, sometimes even suicidal SELF HATRED. It may take the person decades to resolve this into a stable coexistence of self-love/hate or for the lucky few, mostly pure self love. (But to achieve this takes most into their 40s or 50s, at a minimum!!). So to Love a newly met person-X can really backfire even if outwardly it is favorably responded to. But the worst "gift" of all if you are qualified to show it to someone is to SHOW THE PERSON THE GATEWAY TO TRUE FREEDOM. Nothing will cause dire fear as will freedom, the real McCoy freedom (most won’t understand what I mean by the word unless they have walked thru the gateway their own selves, using every ounce of courage it will require of you [!!!!]. Many other significant gifts of the kind money cannot buy also have hidden small print associated with giving said thing or showing it, to another person as the Golden Rule would recommend. The Golden Rule is only of use for trivial matters. And even those should receive this change to the Golden Rule:

"Do unto others as others would wish would be done unto themselves."

Not all of us like the same "goodnesses" or the same "ways to be treated by other people" to marked varying degrees. Something that seems really mild to you may act upon another person like the worst thing life has to offer, or more mildly, as a moderately unpleasant encounter. If you could read their mind and discover that they just love to receive backrubs and you tactfully arrange to give him or her one without producing awkwardness or discomfort, this is AN EXCELLENT APPLICATION OF THE INTENT OF THE GOLDEN RULE. (Note the care and advance preparation that needs to go into most uses of it, since people’s tastes in experiences differ probably more than they are alike, and to assume makes an ASSoutOfUandME.

But when in doubt or there’s no time to ponder the matter: SHOOT 1ST then ask all the questions you like since time is now on your side and once dead they will not rise to DO UNTO YOU AGAIN!

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