Stop Inspiring Serial Killers

Stop Inspiring Serial Killers

For some reason it’s become popular in our culture today to post “inspiring” sayings that ultimately aren’t very helpful and might even be harmful.

Let me show you what I’m talking about.

Here’s my suggestion.

Before you post a trite saying like the “proverbs” above - ask yourself: “Would this inspire a serial killer?”

Of course, there are more ways to test inspirational quotes. Here are a other few options.

Is it true?

If you want something, does the whole universe really conspire to help you to get it? Hillary wanted to be president in 2008 and 2016 but the universe failed her.

Will things really become easy just because I think they’ll be easy? Or does it make more sense for me to give a realistic expectation for what it will take to achieve something? Can I go from being a couch potato to a marathon runner simply by assuming that it will be easy?

Are the only limits we have the ones that we believe? Or is it possible that I’m truly limited by age, finances, intellect, my physical body, geography, and much more? I’m not gonna let my five year old drive a car - even if he believes he can. Furthermore, try to get preapproved for a million dollar mortgage with no money in the bank and only working minimum wage jobs.

Does it encourage vice?

In other words, does it justify bad behavior? “Do it now sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never’” is a true statement. It passes the last option. Yet at the same time it encourages impulsiveness and because it’s aimed at a very large audience (like an instagram following) you can’t be sure exactly what behavior you’re encouraging. Its like target shooting with a blindfold on after spinning around in one place while inebriated. “Rob a bank now because sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never’” isn’t great advice.

Does it make me the standard?

In other words, does it make me the judge of what’s right and wrong? “As long as you’re happy with yourself - no one else’s opinion matters.” What about your kids? Your spouse? Your community? Your accountability partner? Your mentor? Doesn’t this idea seem a teensy bit egocentric? Do we really want to encourage people to be egotistical self-centered monsters? The truth is, you’re not the center of the universe nor are you perfectly qualified to be the standard of morality.

Let’s shortcut the process though:

Does this inspire serial killers?

Listen. Sure. There are some factual and wise sayings that might inspire serial killers and that doesn’t mean they’re wrong but next time you post something let this idea give you pause - long enough to consider whether what you’re saying is the worth adding to the clutter.