Quote:
Originally Posted by madrobin
I truly don't understand how tens of millions of people can be THIS delusional. Maybe I just don't understand the gravitational pull of the RepubliQ ideology.
Not to play the 2p2 therapist in yet another virus thread, but I have a useful thought exercise for you.
Imagine a world in which you are WRONG. Not just a little wrong, or wrong about one or two minor details. A world in which you are very wrong frequently. And before you say, "I'm just following medical experts" imagine that they are very wrong too. Perhaps it's unlikely. Perhaps it's even extremely unlikely. But admit to yourself that it's POSSIBLE, and then it will allow you to treat the opposing side with more respect and empathy.
Most human beings, including top doctors and other experts in their fields (especially top doctors and experts, actually) try to appear much more competent than they actually are. It's just in our nature. We cannot escape it. It's part of the ego.
Ultimately, admitting our own ignorance, our own drooling idiocy, is what sets us free. It's the Socratic paradox. "I know that I know nothing." Once you really believe that, and you've taken it to heart, genuine dialogue and learning can commence. Maybe a lot has changed in the last 2,500 years but also a lot hasn't. Ancient Greek philosophers can still teach us a few things.
Conservatives should play this game too. What if YOU are wrong, and the liberals are actually making some good points? I know that seems impossible to believe, but maybe they are right about some important stuff. It's at least possible? Okay. Good. When both sides can admit that the other side might be partially right and has some legitimate concerns that is called progress. And it allows for communication. And with communication, maybe the country and the world can reach a reasonable middle ground, instead of this nightmare we insist on perpetuating.
I'm not particularly informed about most things, including this virus, but I'm smart enough to know that everyone is wrong about nearly everything. Always. The goal is to be less wrong than we were yesterday.
Did you ever meet a poker player who thought he played the game perfectly, and had nothing he could possibly learn from other players? Do you think that trait was a weakness or a strength? Treat this virus the same way. This is a forum of fairly intelligent people. It really shouldn't be that difficult to find plenty of common ground among people with opposing views.