These are words used in modern human relationships:

Ghosting: Ending a relationship bloody-mindedly by refusing to communicate, relate or explain.

Flaming: An on-line argument using bogus, unfair, bullying and unfounded personal attacks.

Gaslighting: A form of persistent manipulation and brainwashing that causes the victim to doubt her or himself, and ultimately lose her or his own sense of perception, identity, and self-worth, and even sanity.

The behaviours described have been around for centuries in all probability, but only in modern times have been sufficiently common to be given names. Why is this? Partly. social media, where anonymity allows the angry bully to take down or persecute someone he wants to dump or bully or to relieve his intense feelings of inadequacy and anger. Ghosting and gaslighting are both cowardly behaviours that have been used for centuries by men or women who want to end relationships but are too ill-mannered and cruel to take time to explain. It’s just that all too many people are not disciplined in childhood to be thoughtful, considerate and polite. To deliberately hurt another’s feelings is a grievous sin and error.

Hence, this blog advocates Epicureanism, which stands for pleasure, which I interpret as being a pleasant life. The most pleasant life is one where, by offering kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and politeness to everyone, no matter who, you reap it in turn from both friends, acquaintances and even total strangers. Social media and some of the rude, selfish, mindless, unkind and downright vulgar people who take part in it are the very antithesis of Epicureanism, a minority though they be.