In 2024, Reject Hollow Victories
Looking back on an understated lesson of The Grinch
Hello there! Hope you had a great Christmas and a fun New Year’s Eve!
2024 is here — and it is going to be spicy. In the face of a legally fraught election, rising interest rates, social turmoil, and the never-ending “culture war,” I’m here to tell you about the key to keeping your sanity this year. It comes from an unlikely source which I was reminded of this past December…Dr. Seuss's classic, How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
But first, two updates!
We're excited to introduce the Geeky Stoics Book Club, where we’re kicking off 2024 with a 4-week exploration of Tolkien's Legendarium by reading The Fellowship of the Ring together.
Second, we have a new video up on YouTube that you’ll enjoy. Check it out!
Seeing Through the Grinch's Eyes
I didn’t grow up with the Grinch. If anything, the beloved 1966 animated film only entered my consciousness through cultural osmosis. Bits here, bits there. This week I was listening to one of my favorite political podcasts and Justin (the host) produced an amazing episode dedicated to the modern-day relevancy of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
The central thesis is the bitter green creature, with his disdain for the Whos, mirrors the polarized, toxicity we see in fandoms and politics today. His transformation from bitterness to understanding is characterized by one crucial virtue: empathy.
The Whos are completely disconnected from the Grinch, who has isolated himself for reasons unknown for 53 years. From the perspective of the Grinch, he’s the victim of the Whos and their “noise noise noise.” He is therefore completely justified in his anger, even his hatred of them. He dehumanizes them, blaming them for everything wrong in his life. This in his mind justifies his festive larceny.
The irony is that the Grinch hasn’t ever learned anything about the Whos. He thinks he knows what they love about Christmas, that it’s all about the presents, decorations and material things. In short, he thinks he knows how to hit them where it hurts. But as we find out, he was very wrong.
An Innocent Question
Cindy Lou Who's simple and innocent question to the Grinch is far from assuming the worst. She wants to know why Santa is taking the decorations away. She believes the Grinch’s lie when he says he’s simply there to take the Christmas Tree in for repairs. This is the lowest of the low moments for the Grinch. He returns to his mountain hideout victorious and very pleased with himself.
But this victory is hollow.
Think about this like the mean-spirited social media post calling out those people for the 500th time, or like the angry rant on cable television telling you exactly who to blame for society’s division. I dare say you could liken it to a YouTuber posting their 50th “Disney Star Wars Sucks” video.
It might feel good to blow off steam, to let your bitterness drive you toward retribution in the moment. But the Grinch felt little to nothing. The enjoyment passed and did so quickly because victories such as these are devoid of empathy.
The way we seek to hurt others is a reflection of our own insecurities. When you have no empathy, and you don’t even know the people you supposedly hate, you try to hurt them by doing what would hurt you.
The Grinch’s plan didn’t work. He assumed his cruelty would hurt them. Because he wanted to hurt them, above all else.
Instead, take the time to know people. To truly know them, what they believe and value. It’ll make you a better friend and a sharper opponent in the civic arena. Everyone is better off in that arrangement.
“Choose your enemies wisely.” - Patrick Bet-David
Run as fast as you can away from the hunger for hollow victories. Dunks. Slams. Sarcasm. Rest assured, they don’t satisfy for long.
As we begin 2024, remember this. Say no to that desire for hollow victories meant only to satisfy you in the moment.
Dig deeper.
He was a mean one, that grinch, with arsenic sauce.
Happy New Year!