When you look at someone through rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags
In a nation with fast food, same-day delivery, high-speed internet, weight-loss pills, personalized algorithms, and a limitless supply of entertainment options within arm's reach, there will invariably be an attitude of indulgence and psychological hedonism cultivated within the populace. Entities with self-interested agendas will promote and encourage this level of mindlessness for their own benefit.
When it comes to nuanced or polarizing topics, people far too often will select the instant gratification of a specious emotional response over fostering curiosity or critical thinking skills. They usually will find the very concept of objectivity boring and unfulfilling in comparison to an ego-boosting statement that dismisses rivalling ideas and re-emphasizes pre-existing biases.
The pursuit of knowledge inevitably becomes forsaken by those who care more about feeling good than those who care about people and principles.
I almost gave in to that temptation myself on Election Day when Donald Trump ultimately secured his victory. There's no shortage of theories or opinions on why the results ended up swinging his way. People will typically craft whatever narrative best suits their convictions.
But I decided instead that I was going to read. I was going to listen. I was going to seek out as many different sources of information as I could to get some context behind people's fanaticism. Instead what I ended up finding just made me realize how inadequate the level of discourse and reasoning is when it comes to the MAGA movement.
The hypocrisy is absolutely rampant.
For voters that were very vocal about the last president being too old to run the country, they quickly rallied to elect the oldest president in US history.
For a group of people who wanted to "drain the swamp", they suddenly support the world's richest man and major Trump donor getting to gut the federal government without any system of checks and balances against his conflicts of interest.
For a party that made several attempts to restrict voting by college students following the 2020 election, they suddenly find themselves okay with letting a bunch of under-25 year-old coders with no auditing or government experience decide what the federal government should be spending its money on. Their brains are literally not even done developing at that age, but taxpayers are expected to trust their judgement on this matter.
For people who railed against DEI initiatives under the belief that they were unmeritocratic, they now root for cabinet appointees with little-to-no leadership experience to head various departments in which they have essentially no expertise or career experience in.
For those who vehemently insisted that the 2020 election was stolen by Democrats or by millions of illegal voters, there's no explanation as to why they all seemingly forgot about the 2024 election.
For a movement that prided itself on putting "America First", they're not raising much objection to a President repeatedly insisting on taking over Greenland, Canada, and Gaza.
For arm-chair economists that lambasted the previous administration on the high cost of groceries, there's virtually no backlash to the President openly admitting that Americans will feel "a little pain" in response to his tariff policy that will raise consumer prices.
For partisans who justified overturning Roe v. Wade behind the banner of state's rights, have seemingly changed their mind on state's rights as Trump is now suing Illinois for refusing to violate state law and force their officers to comply with ICE mass deportation efforts.
For people who "back the blue" and make concerted efforts to show off their Thin Blue Line flags, there was complete radio silence as Trump used his first day in office to pardon those who were seen on video assaulting capitol police officers.
But I suppose it's easier to virtue-signal than it is to take accountability.
I know that I can't speak for everyone out there participating in the reaction-driven sport of political engagement. But in a time where everyone gets to hide behind online personas, it becomes readily apparent that there's no consequences for being obtuse and hypocritical. There's no incentive to think critically and objectively. There's just the instant gratification of being a click away from the echo chamber of your in-group, and getting to spurn and disparage those who disagree with impunity.
I suppose that this post may seem like the pot calling the kettle black, but I don't swear allegiance to any particular party, partisan, or ideology. My core belief is that there is always more to learn. No matter how thin you slice it, there's always another side. For all the knowledge I've acquired out and questions I've sought answers to, I can say confidently that no one group has all the right answers.
This is mostly me being frustrated at the logical, and quite frankly conceited, inconsistencies among the loudest and most reactive partisans out there. Instant gratification is - apparently - an easy trap to fall into, but it's just practicing good cognitive health to break the groupthink and challenge the hypocrisy within us. If principles really matter to someone as much as the noise they're making would imply, then you can't just talk about it, you have to be about it. Civic duty extends far beyond the voting booth.
Personally, objectivity is something that truly motivates me to put in the mental effort to learn. To examine the world from different perspectives goes a long way towards expanding horizons and becoming a more complete person. The truth hurts sometimes, but without pain there is no gain.
I want to give Trump the benefit of the doubt. I know it's very early in his term and the consequences of his policies and maneuverings have yet to be realized. I would prefer that things ultimately pan out for the best. But to accept someone's every will and whim without scrutiny has never been my style.
I'm willing to hear from MAGA supporters about their thoughts on this post if they're willing to give a thoughtful response. I may not have the highest hopes given what I've observed in the last few months, or given the state of online discourse the last decade, but I'll always appreciate reading a nuanced opinion.
When it comes to nuanced or polarizing topics, people far too often will select the instant gratification of a specious emotional response over fostering curiosity or critical thinking skills. They usually will find the very concept of objectivity boring and unfulfilling in comparison to an ego-boosting statement that dismisses rivalling ideas and re-emphasizes pre-existing biases.
The pursuit of knowledge inevitably becomes forsaken by those who care more about feeling good than those who care about people and principles.
I almost gave in to that temptation myself on Election Day when Donald Trump ultimately secured his victory. There's no shortage of theories or opinions on why the results ended up swinging his way. People will typically craft whatever narrative best suits their convictions.
But I decided instead that I was going to read. I was going to listen. I was going to seek out as many different sources of information as I could to get some context behind people's fanaticism. Instead what I ended up finding just made me realize how inadequate the level of discourse and reasoning is when it comes to the MAGA movement.
The hypocrisy is absolutely rampant.
For voters that were very vocal about the last president being too old to run the country, they quickly rallied to elect the oldest president in US history.
For a group of people who wanted to "drain the swamp", they suddenly support the world's richest man and major Trump donor getting to gut the federal government without any system of checks and balances against his conflicts of interest.
For a party that made several attempts to restrict voting by college students following the 2020 election, they suddenly find themselves okay with letting a bunch of under-25 year-old coders with no auditing or government experience decide what the federal government should be spending its money on. Their brains are literally not even done developing at that age, but taxpayers are expected to trust their judgement on this matter.
For people who railed against DEI initiatives under the belief that they were unmeritocratic, they now root for cabinet appointees with little-to-no leadership experience to head various departments in which they have essentially no expertise or career experience in.
For those who vehemently insisted that the 2020 election was stolen by Democrats or by millions of illegal voters, there's no explanation as to why they all seemingly forgot about the 2024 election.
For a movement that prided itself on putting "America First", they're not raising much objection to a President repeatedly insisting on taking over Greenland, Canada, and Gaza.
For arm-chair economists that lambasted the previous administration on the high cost of groceries, there's virtually no backlash to the President openly admitting that Americans will feel "a little pain" in response to his tariff policy that will raise consumer prices.
For partisans who justified overturning Roe v. Wade behind the banner of state's rights, have seemingly changed their mind on state's rights as Trump is now suing Illinois for refusing to violate state law and force their officers to comply with ICE mass deportation efforts.
For people who "back the blue" and make concerted efforts to show off their Thin Blue Line flags, there was complete radio silence as Trump used his first day in office to pardon those who were seen on video assaulting capitol police officers.
But I suppose it's easier to virtue-signal than it is to take accountability.
I know that I can't speak for everyone out there participating in the reaction-driven sport of political engagement. But in a time where everyone gets to hide behind online personas, it becomes readily apparent that there's no consequences for being obtuse and hypocritical. There's no incentive to think critically and objectively. There's just the instant gratification of being a click away from the echo chamber of your in-group, and getting to spurn and disparage those who disagree with impunity.
I suppose that this post may seem like the pot calling the kettle black, but I don't swear allegiance to any particular party, partisan, or ideology. My core belief is that there is always more to learn. No matter how thin you slice it, there's always another side. For all the knowledge I've acquired out and questions I've sought answers to, I can say confidently that no one group has all the right answers.
This is mostly me being frustrated at the logical, and quite frankly conceited, inconsistencies among the loudest and most reactive partisans out there. Instant gratification is - apparently - an easy trap to fall into, but it's just practicing good cognitive health to break the groupthink and challenge the hypocrisy within us. If principles really matter to someone as much as the noise they're making would imply, then you can't just talk about it, you have to be about it. Civic duty extends far beyond the voting booth.
Personally, objectivity is something that truly motivates me to put in the mental effort to learn. To examine the world from different perspectives goes a long way towards expanding horizons and becoming a more complete person. The truth hurts sometimes, but without pain there is no gain.
I want to give Trump the benefit of the doubt. I know it's very early in his term and the consequences of his policies and maneuverings have yet to be realized. I would prefer that things ultimately pan out for the best. But to accept someone's every will and whim without scrutiny has never been my style.
I'm willing to hear from MAGA supporters about their thoughts on this post if they're willing to give a thoughtful response. I may not have the highest hopes given what I've observed in the last few months, or given the state of online discourse the last decade, but I'll always appreciate reading a nuanced opinion.
31-35, M
