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Liberal Atmosphere

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
What does that phrase make you think of?

Last time I was in the Seattle/Tacoma area that's the phrase I'd use to describe it.

If I say Seattle has a liberal atmosphere, what do you picture in your head?

If I described a place as having a conservative atmosphere, what would you picture in your head instead?
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
What does that phrase make you think of?

Last time I was in the Seattle/Tacoma area that's the phrase I'd use to describe it.

Having lived here for a number of years, as well as in the Illinois in the Midwest, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Japan, I would say that the Sea-Tac area is no more different then any other major city I have ever lived in, or visited.

Edit: As far as what that makes me think. It makes me think of someone who is trying to paint an overall broad/general picture on what is probably a much more multi-faceted subject.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
I live in a liberal area but Nextdoor is full of verbal jousting between left and right. So there's no such thing as "pure" liberal or conservative area.

But for a stereotype: open, caring for the less fortunate, appreciate cultural diversity, experimental, accepting of personal differences (national origin, LGBTQ and so forth).

Conservative: rigid, the less fortunate are to blame, desire cultural conformity, non-experimental, want people to give up cultural differences, LGBTQ is a perverted choice.
 

Daemon Sophic

Avatar in flux
For “Liberal Atmosphere”, I would likely think of a university campus, with hopeful, intelligent people talking with many others from across the nation and across the globe. People who are well informed about science and sociology, about farming practices and warfare, about human psychology and basic human nature.
A place of intellectual ideals mixed with good ol’ common sense.

A “Conservative Atmosphere” is more old-money, unwilling to change because it might somehow cause them a slight inconvenience, combined with angry mobs of intolerent and short-sighted people usually horribly misinformed directly by the intent of the old-money types. There is usually some religious overshadowing of the scene; whether Christian, Jewish, or Islamic. There is usually a lot of bombastic, overstated and garish “super-patriotism” thrown in, because they don’t really know what their nation is supposed to represent.


PS - pertaining to this thread and the Seattle Dying thread.....I graduated from UW and lived for 7+ years in Seattle. My brother and his wife still live there.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
What does that phrase make you think of?

Last time I was in the Seattle/Tacoma area that's the phrase I'd use to describe it.

If I say Seattle has a liberal atmosphere, what do you picture in your head?

If I described a place as having a conservative atmosphere, what would you picture in your head instead?
To me, as a non-US resident, a "liberal atmosphere" makes me think of the intellectual climate at a good university.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Having lived here for a number of years, as well as in the Illinois in the Midwest, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Japan, I would say that the Sea-Tac area is no more different then any other major city I have ever lived in, or visited.

Edit: As far as what that makes me think. It makes me think of someone who is trying to paint an overall broad/general picture on what is probably a much more multi-faceted subject.

Well, that's a failure to communicate.

What I had in mind was an open university and support of arts. Writing, painting, glass blowing. A lot of classes for kids to get into various forms of art.

Conservative, I'd think of business, banking, financial interests. 4H for kids.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
To me, as a non-US resident, a "liberal atmosphere" makes me think of the intellectual climate at a good university.

Yes, a college town with an open university with less traditional classrooms.

240-Main1.jpg
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
Well, that's a failure to communicate.

What I had in mind was an open university and support of arts. Writing, painting, glass blowing. A lot of classes for kids to get into various forms of art.

Conservative, I'd think of business, banking, financial interests. 4H for kids.

I try to avoid the partisanship, and stereotypes. I have seen all types in all areas. But "Conservative" typically just refers to people in a Rural township/area, and Liberal, more innercity/suburbs. Outside of that, people are people.
 

Polymath257

Think & Care
Staff member
Premium Member
When I think of a 'liberal atmosphere', I think about a more non-traditional populace, probably more artistic, more colorful, more variety of cultures represented, more carefree, more tolerant, a variety of different languages, and a more free exchange of ideas.

When I think of a conservative atmosphere, I think of a more stodgy, probably more religious, limited outlook, less diversity, a more uniform culture and language, probably less variety of races, a lack of curiosity about others, less tolerant of differences, and overall less interesting.

I grew up in central Kansas. It was very conservative. I have tried to get away from that world view all of my life.
 

Yazata

Active Member
Liberal atmosphere? Ozone? Sewer gas?

I currently live in the San Francisco bay area, a lot like Seattle I guess. Definitely a "liberal" atmosphere.

How would I characterize it? Large urban area, lots of young people, many recently moved from someplace else and fresh out of college, and many businesses that cater to them. Kind of impersonal and anonymous where people typically don't even know their next door neighbor. People see you but don't really want to know you. If you keel over and pass out on the street, they will just step over you. Crime a concern, but not to the point where it's scary (except it is in some neighborhoods). Lots of immigrants, not always assimilated and often clannish. Better restaurants, more live entertainment which is much hipper and stylish. Lots of shopping. Traffic, poor schools, more social problems. The big "liberal" cities tend to attract troubled people who didn't feel like they fit in elsewhere, so they find themselves filled with people with psychiatric problems. Lots of alcoholism and drug addiction. Big homeless problems composed of these people.

I've lived in conservative areas too. Smaller rural communities, older populations, more scenic and better environment. Much friendlier, when you step in a local store they know you. Strangers talk to strangers. Very little crime and some people don't even lock their doors. Big sky above with lots of stars and the milky way. Fewer ethnic restaurants or hip cafes. Deficient nightlife centered on a few divey bars. People are more into making their own entertainment than patronizing commercial entertainment establishments which might be in short supply. Some very good parties. Much more outdoorsy, people go hiking, mountain climbing or swimming and boating on local lakes. Fewer extremes of abject street poverty and ostentatious wealth. Less racial and ethnic division, better integration into a tighter knit community. Young people might find it boring, but a better place for families to raise kids.

Both have their pluses and minuses and will probably appeal to different people. I like them both. While I live in a large urban area now, probably the happiest years of my life were living out in the country.
 
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tytlyf

Not Religious
Liberal atmospheres are wealthier communities. While conservative atmospheres are poorer communities.
At least that's how I view it.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
What does that phrase make you think of?

Last time I was in the Seattle/Tacoma area that's the phrase I'd use to describe it.

If I say Seattle has a liberal atmosphere, what do you picture in your head?

If I described a place as having a conservative atmosphere, what would you picture in your head instead?
I find it to be an interesting question. Rural Indiana was basically all I knew before moving here, and I moved from there to Bakersfield. It took me several months to stop laughing when people say it's Conservative there, because compared to Indiana, Bakersfield is bleeding heart liberal.
 

Willamena

Just me
Premium Member
What does that phrase make you think of?
People freely expressing opinions, engaged in active, lively discussion about a myriad of topics.

If I say Seattle has a liberal atmosphere, what do you picture in your head?
A nice place to visit. Open borders, free passage, a friendly acceptance of strangers.

And a space needle.

If I described a place as having a conservative atmosphere, what would you picture in your head instead?
People, like automatons, marching to work with their heads held high. Expectations, biases, and priviledge.

Sadly.
 
When I think of liberal atmosphere, I think of Texas.

When I think of conservative atmosphere, I think of Texas.

Where else can you find cowboy boots, America’s first openly lesbian mayor, plenty of hunting, tons of early voting locations, low taxes and one of the largest peaceful BLM demonstrations, all in once place?

If you don’t get what I mean ... you have to visit Austin or Houston.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
People, like automatons, marching to work with their heads held high. Expectations, biases, and priviledge.
That "people, like automatons, marching to work" definitely describes Indiana. They are obsessed with work. And there is definitely an expectation to conform and heavy biases against those that don't.
Or just the MidWest in general. Hospitality isn't a thing there like it is in the South. Or pretty much anywhere else I've been.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
The Alma Mater of Boris Johnson? :D
He didn't go to my college (as illustrated above), I'm pleased to say - he was at Balliol - but, like a great number of UK politicians, yes he did go to Oxford. They usually read PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) and join the Oxford Union Debating Society, which mimics the House of Commons. Harold Wilson, Ted Heath, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, David Cameron and now the ghastly Bozo all went there. (Thatcher, however, read chemistry - like me - and wasn't allowed to join Oxford Union, because she was a woman! )
 
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