this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2025
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Showerthoughts
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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.
Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts:
- Both “200” and “160” are 2 minutes in microwave math
- When you’re a kid, you don’t realize you’re also watching your mom and dad grow up.
- More dreams have been destroyed by alarm clocks than anything else
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Are you really feeling guilty about not tipping because of the moral implications, or do you just feel socially shamed? Important distinction.
Considering the idea of shame is society's way to enforce it's version of morality, I would argue no it is not a distinction.
Like you said, society's version of morality. So it can be a very important distinction because your own version of morality might differ. Not being aware of this distinction is dangerous because it stops people from developing their own moral compass. This own morality is more firm and can be relied on in the absence of shame, or even when society encourages behavior one finds immoral.
I'm even gonna go on a wilder speculation here and claim that one of the driving factors behind humanity's worst atrocities was that large portions of society who had the potential in them for a firm morality rooted in empathy and love never developed this potential.
On a less import note, not being aware of this distinction can breed a lot of resentment and unhappiness, if someone is constantly compelled to follow rules that they, deep down, consider to be bullshit.
Of course that doesn't mean I encourage people to just disregard society's version of morality and lightly assume that they know better.
Edit: just noticed your username, I hope that furriosa is doing well <3
*Furryosa is doing well and thank you for acknowledging me.
But fuck you anyways!
For me it's the empathy of knowing that that person won't have enough money because I know they don't get a living wage.
But by tipping the person you support the system that doesn't pay them a living wage. It's similar to why you shouldn't give money to people begging.
You shouldn't go to restaurants at all if you're averse to tipping. Only by starving the industry can the policy be scrapped. Don't take it out on the workers. Hold the owners to account.
I'd say it's a little thornier than that. By tipping, you support the person who has to take the job that doesn't pay them a living wage. Absolutely, this can have the side effect of supporting the system creating this condition, but so too does patronizing businesses that employ this practice. The best move if you don't want to support the system is to not patronize businesses that function this way at all. Increasing corporate revenue while not contributing to the welfare of the person who had to take that job is not a morally better position.
Feel somewhat similar about giving money to beggars, though with slightly more emphasis on the voluntary nature of the act (which itself could be fodder for moral discussion - what's the difference between Jack the Hobo's and Jack the Barista's experience?). End of the day, while systematic overhaul so both of these conditions are irrelevant is warranted, for both groups it's about survival until the next day (yes, for some beggars survival includes dope, withdrawl is hell). The revolution ain't coming tomorrow, and even if it did there's time required to get these folks what they need. It's entirely possible they wouldn't make it to that point without voluntary support from individuals or small groups.
Not OP, but both.
I feel guilty because I’m conflicted about what the right thing to do is, the cost, and care about fellow workers.
You probably understand why I would have a moral question (alongside some guilt of doing the wrong thing) after reading through the entire thread engaging your comment.
Meanwhile Epstein, Elon, and Trump don’t seem to have these hang-up’s and are rewarded handsomely by society…
One of the best distinctions!