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Down with non objective polarization!

I think we could move forward as a civilization if we could somehow avoid gravitating to polarized positions that cause us to not look at things objectively and honestly on all sides. How can we make this happen. I suppose we only have control over ourselves but I would love to see this to become a trend.
 

Stevicus

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I think we could move forward as a civilization if we could somehow avoid gravitating to polarized positions that cause us to not look at things objectively and honestly on all sides. How can we make this happen. I suppose we only have control over ourselves but I would love to see this to become a trend.

I guess the key thing would be to be more willing to compromise and be reasonable at a time when more people are moderates. People who gravitate to polarized, extreme positions were probably once moderates who, for whatever reason, became more stubborn and jaded.
 

ADigitalArtist

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I guess the key thing would be to be more willing to compromise and be reasonable at a time when more people are moderates. People who gravitate to polarized, extreme positions were probably once moderates who, for whatever reason, became more stubborn and jaded.
This is assuming that what is considered moderate isn't already an extreme position. Currently the American mainstream left is everyone else's center-right. So Progressive left seems more extreme to Americans when it's just every day left to everyone else. Moderate and extreme are, to some extent, subjective to experience and upbringing like everything else
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
I think we could move forward as a civilization if we could somehow avoid gravitating to polarized positions that cause us to not look at things objectively and honestly on all sides. How can we make this happen. I suppose we only have control over ourselves but I would love to see this to become a trend.
The religious beliefs Judaism, Christianity and Islam encourage polarization based on their religious beliefs.
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
It is difficult to be a Christian and to look at things honestly and objectively but I think that it is possible. I am one and I am trying to.

As an individual I cannot make draw an objective conclusion, but more power to your efforts.

Unfortunately the history and the present situation in general Judaism, Christianity, and Islam encourage polarization, even between divisions between the divisions in the religions.
 
As an individual I cannot make draw an objective conclusion, but more power to your efforts.

Unfortunately the history and the present situation in general Judaism, Christianity, and Islam encourage polarization, even between divisions between the divisions in the religions.
The division is so tragic and counterproductive in religion and in politics. I think if we all could take it upon ourselves to love our neighbor the best that we can humanity could move forward.
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
The division is so tragic and counterproductive in religion and in politics. I think if we all could take it upon ourselves to love our neighbor the best that we can humanity could move forward.

Spiritually and intellectually I agree, which is one of the reasons why I am a Baha'i . . .

. . . but I believe clinging to ancient paradigms that by their nature are polarizing by their historical and religious beliefs, and often openly in conflict, and hostility.

Careful tolerance is just a degree of intolerance, and only necessary when on considers others that belief differently to be in some way fundamentally different, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam consider themselves in some way fundamentally different even though they share the same roots.
 

MikeDwight

Well-Known Member
That was Obama though it was like .. . Chaaange. Everybody's Ooooone. Dividers! Responsibility Payments! Creep you out, I didn't have to be listening to Rush Limbaugh every day, I realized I liked Democrat presidents and black people.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
This is assuming that what is considered moderate isn't already an extreme position. Currently the American mainstream left is everyone else's center-right. So Progressive left seems more extreme to Americans when it's just every day left to everyone else. Moderate and extreme are, to some extent, subjective to experience and upbringing like everything else

Yeah, it's all relative, to some degree or another. One famous American extremist was John Brown, who resorted to extreme methods in a failed attempt to end slavery. But as it turned out, violent military force was how slavery was ended. So in John Brown's case, he was right, but it was "the wrong execution of the right idea."

But some might say that Brown was still wrong, since he didn't work within the system, as a good moderate would do. He could have waited a few years, and he would have been able to fight on the Union side in the Civil War.

Nowadays, the battle lines are drawn a bit differently, yet there still seems to be some sort of impasse over various issues. Neither side seems willing to budge; there is little willingness to negotiate in good faith or make any kind of compromise. That leaves very little room for moderate proposals.
 

MikeDwight

Well-Known Member
Yeah, it's all relative, to some degree or another. One famous American extremist was John Brown, who resorted to extreme methods in a failed attempt to end slavery. But as it turned out, violent military force was how slavery was ended. So in John Brown's case, he was right, but it was "the wrong execution of the right idea."

But some might say that Brown was still wrong, since he didn't work within the system, as a good moderate would do. He could have waited a few years, and he would have been able to fight on the Union side in the Civil War.

Nowadays, the battle lines are drawn a bit differently, yet there still seems to be some sort of impasse over various issues. Neither side seems willing to budge; there is little willingness to negotiate in good faith or make any kind of compromise. That leaves very little room for moderate proposals.
This is the most true thing today, I 'm willing to withdraw my 13 states, the league of Nations, the Galactic federation concerning the issue of John Brown. Johnie the Brown. John Brown. John Brown vs Robert E Lee, who wins, Not John Brown... Stonewall Jackson and John Brown's Harper's Ferry, who wins, not John Brown... If John Brown were the Japanese Emperor's Governor and Ahn Jung Geun were... Ahn Jung-Geun. Who Wins?... Not John Brown.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
This is the most true thing today, I 'm willing to withdraw my 13 states, the league of Nations, the Galactic federation concerning the issue of John Brown. Johnie the Brown. John Brown. John Brown vs Robert E Lee, who wins, Not John Brown... Stonewall Jackson and John Brown's Harper's Ferry, who wins, not John Brown... If John Brown were the Japanese Emperor's Governor and Ahn Jung Geun were... Ahn Jung-Geun. Who Wins?... Not John Brown.

Original-john-brown-words-george-kimball-1890.jpg
 
Pierce Morgan was on Ben Shapiro's Podcast recently. I thought they were mortal enemies but they were able to have a productive conversation. I thought it showed how even though they held a position on one issue, they were not locked into having an automatic position on all issues. They seem to be trying to look at each issue through there own set of filters (most of us do the same) but as objectively as possible. I thought it was a good interview
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
I think we could move forward as a civilization if we could somehow avoid gravitating to polarized positions that cause us to not look at things objectively and honestly on all sides. How can we make this happen. I suppose we only have control over ourselves but I would love to see this to become a trend.
I am happy to look at anything honestly and objectively from all sides. Which topic do we start on?
 
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