Something I have never understood about people is what I have termed “Woeful Ignorance”. “Head in the sand”, “Oblivious”, “Self-centered” are all similar terms, but they just don’t completely embrace the message I am trying to convey when I say “Woeful Ignorance”.

It’s more than just being a selfish jerk. It’s more than being ignorant of politics and news. It’s about allowing your own ignorances to detract from others, taking away from their enjoyment of life is some way, big or small. To be so completely out of touch with reality, microcosm or macrocosm, to the point where you are impacting strangers, friends and family alike, is one of my greatest pet peeves. 

I have no patience for stupid people.

—

It was a hot and humid summer. I was on the magtrain. I know, you probably still wonder why I spend so much time among my own people if I just become infuriated. I wonder that myself sometimes too. These are the people I fight for, but there are days I question why. I think that might be my reasoning really. My own internal conflicts are often brought to self-illumination while riding the magtrain, and I force myself to somehow work through them to resolution. Doubt in a pilot’s mind can be lethal, and I couldn’t afford to have doubts.

So, I was on the magtrain, observing, listening, remembering what it was like to be anonymous. It was my usual routine; one which I enjoyed. I am a people watcher. I find for me, it’s the best way to gain understanding of a situation; observation. I am detail oriented. I take in sights, sounds, smells, body language; everything I can.

I’ve had some tell me I’m too judgemental. Isn’t that, in and of itself, a judgement?

One particular male had my attention. He was talking on a handheld communications device. Not everyone had aural implants, even though they had come down in price drastically over the last two years. Anyway, I gathered from his vocal volume that he was having trouble hearing the person on the other end. I find that ironic. If you can’t hear them, why must you speak louder? Does it help you hear them better? Do you assume that because you can’t hear them, they must not be able to hear you? I hadn’t been on this particular magtrain before, but had a particular destination in mind. The magtrain was quite crowded, and I was near the back, which made it difficult to see the “Next Stop” sign at the front of the magtrain. There was an Aura-like voice that broadcast the next stop, but with that guy talking so loudly I couldn’t hear it clearly. I was getting to know all about the person he was talking to though, as were most everyone else in his vicinity.

I really didn’t want to miss my stop.

I politely said “Excuse me.” to get his attention. He put his hand over the mouthpiece of his device, throwing me a dirty look. “I’m in the middle of a call.” he said, in case I wasn’t already painfully aware. “Would you mind keeping it down a little? I can’t hear the stops, and don’t know the area. It would be appreciated.”

“Move to the front of the train then. Not my problem.” he replied.

“Look, the train’s full. I’m just asking you to keep it down a little so I can hear. It’s not a difficult request.” I was standing directly in front of his seat now, my volume normal and steady, non threatening, so as not to raise even more of a disruption than his excessive volume. 

I guess he didn’t like that because he asked the person on the other end of his phone to hold on, then stood up in front of me, inches from my chest, looking up at my face, his bravado evident. Good for him. He felt brave.

I didn’t back up. “Why don’t you find somewhere else to stand, Brutor?” he said at me with disdain. “This is an important call.”

“Yes, I realize Kelly’s cousin isn’t feeling well, and now Kelly has to do all of her grocery shopping, and with all the hours she’s been putting in at work recently, she’s so tired that she doesn’t even want to get out of bed. It’s quite the dilemma.”

I pay attention to details. His eyes narrowed with furious intent. I had violated his privacy. The irony of course, is that he had violated his own privacy, but I have often found it’s difficult to explain these subtle truths to people when they become angry. His body posture changed slightly, becoming more aggressive. His hip turned. I knew he was going to throw a punch.

Having said that, to the witnesses there, it would like I started the fight. I did not. I simply knew the punch was coming before them, and diffused the situation before it became embarassing for this guy.

With my left hand, I grabbed his handheld. With my right palm, I forcefully angled downwards a firm push where his neck and clavicle met. Simple biomechanics. It doesn’t matter how big you are, how strong you are, your body will respond as it was designed to, no matter how hard you try to resist it.

He plopped down ungracefully on his seat, murderous rage and confusion on his face.

As I mentioned, it was a hot summer. The magtrain had a few windows open. One happened to be right behind him. I threw his handheld out of the window.

He went to stand again, his aggression apparent. I stiff armed him back into his seat, quietly warning him “Don’t”.

Just then, I heard the next stop being announced. It was mine. I backed away, keeping my eye on him lest he not realize this was already over.

He just sat in his seat, glaring bloody murder towards me. I was used to that look. It said to me, “I am now impotent, and know it. I hate you for making me feel that way.” It was a common rationalization. It made the other party to blame, instead of having to look at your own woeful ignorance.

The magtrain slowed to a stop. I left the train, and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my day.