Why I avoid politics
I'm the type of guy who holds viewpoints across the political spectrum--and believe me, spectrum is a good word to use here--but I like to mostly stay out of discussions.
This is because very, very few can simply discuss ideas without vitriolically emotional responses. These responses often end in ad hominem attacks and that's where I get off.
Why is that so prevalent? One could ascribe it to a simple matter of immaturity or a lack of having read Dale Carnegie, but to me, there's something else: social narcissism. This is a concept that I feel can explain a lot. Think of your garden variety narc: They live in a black and white world: they're right, you're wrong, and it's their way or the highway, no exceptions. Attack [i]their[/i] unassailable political hero? Those heroes are analogous to them because [i]they[/i] voted for them, and narcs don't make mistakes. I'm sure quite a few other aspects of narcissism can be plugged right in, including lack of self awareness, empathy, etc.
Wasn't anyone on the debate team in school? Most of this wouldn't fly.
We could probably talk all day and end up choking on a bunch of ill behaviors regarding politics: pseudo-intellectualism, talking points imported from skewed cable news channels, using statistics out of context, etc.
Personally, I'm not afraid of ideas; I'll hear anyone out who isn't a sanctimonious or proselytizing jerk. Can you believe that I may NOT have chosen perfectly in every election in which I have participated? HORRORS!!
Ultimately, I'd rather just celebrate what makes us the same instead of different. Really, I'd rather not tear down someone [i]you[/i] like, either, because I value friends, much, much more than politicians.
Anyone feeling that?
This is because very, very few can simply discuss ideas without vitriolically emotional responses. These responses often end in ad hominem attacks and that's where I get off.
Why is that so prevalent? One could ascribe it to a simple matter of immaturity or a lack of having read Dale Carnegie, but to me, there's something else: social narcissism. This is a concept that I feel can explain a lot. Think of your garden variety narc: They live in a black and white world: they're right, you're wrong, and it's their way or the highway, no exceptions. Attack [i]their[/i] unassailable political hero? Those heroes are analogous to them because [i]they[/i] voted for them, and narcs don't make mistakes. I'm sure quite a few other aspects of narcissism can be plugged right in, including lack of self awareness, empathy, etc.
Wasn't anyone on the debate team in school? Most of this wouldn't fly.
We could probably talk all day and end up choking on a bunch of ill behaviors regarding politics: pseudo-intellectualism, talking points imported from skewed cable news channels, using statistics out of context, etc.
Personally, I'm not afraid of ideas; I'll hear anyone out who isn't a sanctimonious or proselytizing jerk. Can you believe that I may NOT have chosen perfectly in every election in which I have participated? HORRORS!!
Ultimately, I'd rather just celebrate what makes us the same instead of different. Really, I'd rather not tear down someone [i]you[/i] like, either, because I value friends, much, much more than politicians.
Anyone feeling that?
