We are partakers of a common nature, and the same causes that contribute to the benefit of one contribute to the benefit of another.
—William Godwin—
Ecology, the study of how all life fits together, has an emotional dimension. We all know people who are emotional polluters. Bullies, gossips, or self-pitiers spread a noxious influence; no one wants to be around them. Often they’re gifted people, and sometimes they’re in positions of power over others. It’s difficult to keep our own clarity among the belching smokestacks of an emotional polluter. But our ecology—our interconnectedness—means that, potentially, we influence them as much as they influence us.
If we can stay out of their poison, refuse to play, we can help to clean up the atmosphere. Our ordinary notions of politeness often lead us to encourage emotional polluters. We may not see that our tacit acceptance and cooperation harms both us and them. Let us use our faith in our common nature to behave cleanly; we will thereby help others to clean up their acts.
I’ll try not to confuse politeness with pollution.