I feel like I'm from a different species sometimes with all my conservative friends. Racist, sexist, religious, xenophobes... It's like our brains don't even work the same way. I try and steer them to higher thinking with humor and empathy but it's like trying to teach calculus to toddlers. Occasionally succeed, but for the most part they are so committed to not thinking for themselves that I'm wasting my time. These are not stupid people but the indoctrination makes it appear like they are... Thoughts?
6
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They live in a comfortable box, and are blinded when anyone attempts to open it’s lid.. They don’t like to squint, or to look up at anyone. You’re bothering.. even annoying them. They’ve been to school, and didn’t like it, so why are you trying to teach them? They know all they care to. They’re in control of themselves and those around them … and you scare them..
Varn
Level 8
Jan 13, 2019
1
It's a complicated issue. Here is my explanation. Everybody wants to (consciously or unconsciously) raise their own self image. This means that everything one does needs to have some value. If you invest a lot of resources (time, work, thinking, money, status) into a certain thing you have to rationalize that it was worth it. When somebody comes along and says that this thing that you put a lot of effort into is wrong or somehow worthless it is only natural that there will be resistance. So some people just can't "afford" to change their minds because it would require so much of those resources. Some people naturally don't have a lot of those resources because of various reasons. Some people don't care enough about the issues to want to change their minds.
Dietl
Level 7
Jan 13, 2019
2
I agree. Why do people get so emotional about it too? My brother stopped talking to me all together because he said I'm too liberal and a democrat. I'm neither. I'm progressive and independent. All he can see is what he wants to see. That's fine. But I find the whole republican concept to be selfish. He's not a bad person.
confidentrealm
Level 7
Jan 13, 2019
2
I often see the same among some of my colleagues. The worst of it is, they don't really even hold views of that type, but they read things in the right-wing press (which, here in the UK, as in many other countries, is most of the press - there are really only two left-wing popular daily newspapers; a third, the Morning Star, has a circulation of less than 10,000 and has been close to collapse for many years) and just accept it, without thinking for themselves.
Jnei
Level 8
Jan 13, 2019
2
There is plenty of that here as well.
Every single day I’m reading posts that are racists, sexists, or worse. You point them out and you get the same type of responses as when you bring up god and existence with a Christian. The moral compass and intellectual pool here is no different than normal society. Don’t fool yourself. People are people and this group is no different.
darthfaja
Level 7
Jan 13, 2019
2
I can fake the tribal stuff for a gathering, but I do long for deeper thought and connections.
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Jan 13, 2019
3
I can't.
@Amisja Being an Atheist child in bible thump Appalachia taught me the art of chameleon.
Sometimes...it is time to get new friends.
RedskyRiver
Level 6
Jan 13, 2019
2
Coworkers who spend 50-60 hours a week with me. Pretty much stuck with them. Funny enough I view them like family...
That is tough. I apologize. I realized that my comment sounded blunt. Sometimes my sarcasm gets the best of me. I only wish for anyone to be surrounded by kindness and good friends.
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