How to Rant Without Losing Control

A Penny for Your Rant

Opinions. Everyone has them; just as everyone has that certain orifice and we, of course, think that ours is the only one that doesn't stink (the orifice and the opinion). But in this information age where everyone has an outlet to talk, discuss, spiel, and rant about any topic imaginable we find ourselves constantly bombarded by others opinions and rants that frequently conflict with our own views on things.

For a great many, the conflict does not arise because the author said something offensive. Should offensive exchanges happen one simply stops arguing with the author, stops visiting their website, or hits the Ignore button popular on forums. The conflict arises more often than not because of the authors complete lack of forethought before posting their blurb. They are in "the heat of the moment" and post about this or that without thinking, with out backing their piece up with facts, and often without hitting the spell check button. This possibly irritates people the most.

So in the interest of preventing this conflict (and allowing room for genuine conflicts), here are a handy set of guidelines that one should follow before they start tearing into a topic and possibly (probably) embarrassing themselves.

Think Before You Post

If you are excited, nervous, or angry about something, that is fine. If you are near a computer you may be tempted to pull up a forum or blog and start ripping into the object of you emotional state. This is when you should stop and take a moment to collect you thoughts.

You have a right to your feelings, but the first few minutes of your wrangled emotional state are the most idiocy prone. Take a minute to breathe and calm down. After a few minutes, you will still feel the way you did before, but you will be able to think a little more clearly.

There now, isn't that better? Still feel like ranting about something? That's perfectly fine because at least you are thinking somewhat straighter now.

Be Concise, Correct, and Contained