F ³: Trivial Hills and Pet Peeves

This question caused a ripple on Twitter in 2017 - - back when Twitter was Twitter. Do you remember?

What's the most unpopular benign opinion you hold? (i.e. not politically dodgy, just socially derided) - -Stephanie Boland, Prospect Mag

It even turned up in one of those compilation content pieces.

The people sharing their unpopular opinions on Twitter are the most fearless among us, Shropshire Star

The reason that I still remember is that this question was adopted by HoCoLocals Candace Dodson Reed and Tom Coale on their podcast, "Elevate Maryland." (2017-2022)

Some of their guests had a terrible time coming up with anything they’d be willing to reveal to the public. (Politicians in particular.*) Some folks just plain didn’t understand the premise.

Here’s mine:

I don’t like chocolate and peanut butter together. A more forthright way to frame that would be “chocolate and peanut butter taste terrible together.” I’d have a hard time being that assertive. When the candy corn wars re-emerge each Fall I make a point of saying that my extreme dislike of this particular Halloween candy means that my friends can have more of it.

I was raised to be tactful and I’m afraid of making people angry.

Anyway…I was actually thinking this morning of pet peeves. For example, I get mad every time I have to cut my finger nails using my non-dominant hand. Every time! This should not be a thing. There should be a better way. It may seem like a small thing to hold a grudge over. I maintain that it’s just the right size for a pet peeve.

Sometimes pet peeves can change. I used to hate calling businesses to find information or resolve problems. Now I get so angry at bad websites and incompetent AI assistants that I’d give my right arm to to able to call and talk to an actual human being. I didn’t know how lucky I had it.

It’s Friday. If you have a moment to be frivolous, send me an unpopular benign opinion and a pet peeve.

Village Green/Town² Comments

* Then-Councilman Calvin Ball, being interviewed on Elevate Maryland - - “I’m not really big on dying on trivial hills...”

The question, “What trivial hill would you be willing to die on?”

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