When you said that we need to learn how to disagree in a more evolved way, I think that you're one the right track but at the wrong angle. When is a discussion, civil or not, is not a discussion? When one side or the other, or both, are no longer listening to what is supposed to be a debate. That is the definition of a verbal fight, not discussion. when there is no longer anyone that wants civility, then there is no longer any possible debate. I think that the Olympic opening presenters meant for the display to be taken exactly the way that it was while leaving themselves out by pointing to a history that they probably don't know anything about. As someone who loves to read history, I know that even the majority of Greeks were not homosexual while almost all agreed that it wasn't unusual. Yet this is the first picture of the Greeks we get? There are libraries of books written about the advancement of mankind that the Greeks led the way into.
To the second point. While environment certainly does play a part, it's just a part. Why then do we get people like Condelizza Rice, Thomas Sowell, Peter Hitchens, and so many others that made such drastic turns away from the way that their environment steered them towards?
Everything goes wrong until we get it right. You can chose to monitor your emotions and ego but usually it's because you got it so badly wrong at least once. The first time doesn't go so well and we learn to get better. Thought leaders that seem so wise and capable of humility usually got through the wrong stages first.
I agree that civility will carry the day but that's only if the other side also agrees that civility is the best course. Thanks for your understanding for the long post(s). I appreciate any feedback.
When you said that we need to learn how to disagree in a more evolved way, I think that you're one the right track but at the wrong angle. When is a discussion, civil or not, is not a discussion? When one side or the other, or both, are no longer listening to what is supposed to be a debate. That is the definition of a verbal fight, not discussion. when there is no longer anyone that wants civility, then there is no longer any possible debate. I think that the Olympic opening presenters meant for the display to be taken exactly the way that it was while leaving themselves out by pointing to a history that they probably don't know anything about. As someone who loves to read history, I know that even the majority of Greeks were not homosexual while almost all agreed that it wasn't unusual. Yet this is the first picture of the Greeks we get? There are libraries of books written about the advancement of mankind that the Greeks led the way into.
To the second point. While environment certainly does play a part, it's just a part. Why then do we get people like Condelizza Rice, Thomas Sowell, Peter Hitchens, and so many others that made such drastic turns away from the way that their environment steered them towards?
Everything goes wrong until we get it right. You can chose to monitor your emotions and ego but usually it's because you got it so badly wrong at least once. The first time doesn't go so well and we learn to get better. Thought leaders that seem so wise and capable of humility usually got through the wrong stages first.
I agree that civility will carry the day but that's only if the other side also agrees that civility is the best course. Thanks for your understanding for the long post(s). I appreciate any feedback.
This is fabulous! I wish I would have written it!!! Thanks Joe!