I love GPT, but it's a robot, not a Buddhist. And it can just as easily argue the opposite:

1. *Mindfulness and Awareness*:
- While mindfulness meditation promotes non-reactivity, it doesn't necessarily mean one shouldn't make judgments. It's about recognizing thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them. In daily life, judgments are sometimes necessary for decision-making and discernment.

2. *Right Speech*:
- The principle of Right Speech doesn't mean avoiding judgments altogether. Instead, it's about speaking truthfully and kindly. There are instances in Buddhist scriptures where the Buddha himself made judgments about the actions and intentions of others, but he did so with compassion and clarity.

3. *Metta (Loving-kindness)*:
- Cultivating metta doesn't mean withholding judgments; it means approaching situations with an open heart. One can have loving-kindness and still recognize unwholesome actions in others or oneself.

4. *Dukkha (Suffering)*:
- Recognizing suffering in all beings fosters compassion, but it doesn't negate the need for judgments. Compassion and judgment are not mutually exclusive. One can understand someone's suffering and still judge their actions as unskillful.

5. *The Nature of Thoughts*:
- Although thoughts are temporary and fleeting, they can still have real-world consequences. Recognizing the impermanent nature of thoughts doesn't mean we shouldn't make judgments; it means we should do so with awareness and care.

6. *Non-self (Anatta)*:
- Understanding the concept of anatta can indeed reduce fixed views and judgments. However, it doesn't mean that judgments based on observed actions and consequences are invalid.

7. *The Parable of the Poisoned Arrow*:
- This parable encourages direct action over unnecessary speculation. But this doesn't mean one should never judge or evaluate situations. It's about prioritizing immediate needs over theoretical or philosophical debates.

In summary, while Buddhism encourages a non-judgmental attitude in many respects, it doesn't advocate for a complete absence of judgment. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of "wise judgment" or discernment. The goal is to strike a balance between understanding and compassion on one hand, and the necessity of making judgments in our daily lives on the other.

And to go even further, it is capable of seeing the second persons harsh response as a valid interpretation of Buddhism.

The second person's critique leans towards the idea that spiritual practices should not be used as an escape mechanism from the challenges of daily life, but instead as tools to confront and understand them. From a Buddhist perspective, there are teachings and examples that support Person 2's viewpoint:

1. *Mindfulness of Daily Activities*:
- In the Satipatthana Sutta, the Buddha outlined the practice of mindfulness in everyday activities, such as walking, eating, and even breathing. This is not about escaping reality but being fully present in every moment, regardless of its nature.

2. *Engaged Buddhism*:
- Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen monk, introduced the concept of Engaged Buddhism. It emphasizes applying Buddhist teachings in social and political realms, confronting societal issues rather than retreating from them.

3. *Avoiding Spiritual Materialism*:
- Chögyam Trungpa, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, warned about "spiritual materialism", which is the use of spirituality to bolster one's ego or escape from real-life challenges. Truly embracing Buddhist teachings means confronting and understanding one's ego, not using practices to inflate or escape it.

4. *The Middle Way*:
- The Buddha's teaching of the Middle Way is about avoiding extremes. While it's beneficial to experience deep calm, it's also essential to remain engaged with the world and not use this calm as an escape mechanism.

5. *Facing Mara*:
- In Buddhist texts, before attaining enlightenment, the Buddha faced Mara, a demonic figure representing temptation, doubt, and fear. Instead of escaping or avoiding Mara, the Buddha confronted and acknowledged these challenges, showing the importance of facing difficulties head-on.

6. *The Parable of the Two Arrows*:
- In the Sallatha Sutta, the Buddha describes the parable of the two arrows. The first arrow represents the unavoidable pain or discomfort we might experience, while the second arrow is the additional suffering we inflict upon ourselves through our reactions. Escaping or ignoring the pain (like "zenning out" during uncomfortable situations) might mean that we're not addressing the root causes of our suffering.

While Person 1's practices might offer personal relief and spiritual experiences, Person 2's critique, based on Buddhist teachings, suggests that using meditation solely as an escape can be a form of avoidance. True Buddhist practice encourages confronting and understanding the nature of suffering and reality.

All this considered, maybe we should craft our own thoughts instead of letting robots interpret complex social nuances so we can post drive-by hot takes online with minimal effort. At least bowsamic is posting their own thoughts instead of copypasting a wall of automated confirmation bias.