I begin with confession. You may not know who I am. We may have never met. It doesn’t matter. Confession is the proper beginning if we’re going to connect in a meaningful way.

My confession? Let’s start with an easy one, easy for me, easy for you: I read letters to the editor in more than one newspaper.

Well, that didn’t hurt; I feel much better. Thank you.

A recent response by a reader to a columnist offered up a word I’d not heard before: “angertainment.” I like made-up words, and do it myself when it suits me or the occasion.

“Angertainment” seems to be a good word for right now. It captures much of what shows up on “news” programs, on “social media” and what flows easily from the mouths of many politicians.

The letter-writer introduced the term with a sense of wonder: ‘Why do we enjoy being angry?’ seems to be what he or she is wondering about.

The columnist’s response was interesting and telling. Here it is:

“‘Angertainment’ is a wonderful word! And yes, it appeals to a lot of people who desperately want to be angry, for some reason. They seem to need somebody to blame for… whatever. Taking the parking space they were angling for. Being considerate and respectful (which they describe as ‘woke’). Whatever…”

I get angry when someone takes the parking spot I wanted. I get angry when I read of women being treated badly. I get angry when I hear of men being treated badly. I get angry when I hear someone repeating a lie, again and again, realizing that Hitler’s propagandists were correct: Repeat something often enough, and people will believe it.

With enough anger, enough stimulus, getting angry and staying angry, we can reach the point that our anger, which usually triggers adrenaline (epinephrine) in our brain, becomes normal for us. We get addicted to adrenaline. In order to keep feeling the rush of adrenaline, we have to stoke our anger (or do risky things, such as parachuting.)

Anger triggers something physical in us. We feel alert and ready, on edge and prepared. For many people those feelings are rated “Good!” (remember: it’s the adrenaline anger provokes that provides all those feelings) so staying angry becomes something positive, something enjoyable, something we want more of. We get angry, we feel good, alert, ready. What’s not to like?

What’s not to like? Think about yourself for a moment. Ask yourself: When was the last time I made a good decision when I was mad enough to spit?

Over many years working with people in a variety of settings, I’ve yet to see a good decision proceed from an angry person or group. Possible? I guess. Anything is possible. I’ve never seen it.

What’s all this about? For starters, there’s a lot we see and hear that makes us angry. We would all benefit from asking questions: How do I know what I’m hearing is true? What other sources are there to verify what I’m hearing? Is there more to the story? Why am I so angry? How might I channel that anger into something healthy and positive, at least for me and perhaps for others?

And finally: Why do I keep returning to watch and listen to more “angertainment?”

Why, indeed?