Bigotry is Not Just Wrong, it is an Indication of Political Blindness

The other day I was in the gym, and I was amazed.  A couple of guys were chatting (by chatting I mean loudly pontificating) about immorality, social decline, etc.  One of them kept referring to "faggots" and how he was teaching his children that they were in no certain terms not one of "those people."  Then they moved on to discussing how America today was going down the same path as Rome, Persia, etc.  I ended up cutting my routine short because of how angry I was becoming, and because I did not feel like goading on some imbecilic neanderthals about not only their irrational bigotry but about how they were ignoring the causes of the United States current troubles and replacing them with petty prejudices that have no bearing on the current malaise that has engulfed this country

Now I actually agree that the American Empire is heading in the wrong direction, and I think that the comparison to Rome is actually quite true. We rely on force of arms to project our power and on an every larger military complex to maintain order.  We have an Imperium where we are dependent upon the outside world for a lifestyle that encourages superficiality, indolence, and that breeds a "bread and circuses" mentality among most citizens.  Entertainment has become many peoples sole focus, and currently over 40% of U.S. citizens receive some kind of payment from the federal government.  If there is a problem, let the government fix it!  We are in the act of abdicating our rights and our responsibilities, one televisions show and food stamp at a time.

Compounding this, it is today very difficult to have an educated discussion regarding difficult issues of any sort.  I briefly toyed with the idea of approaching the meat-heads in the gym and asking them to keep their conversation at a level that would not offend more open-minded individuals.  I decided against this mainly because I A) did not think they would be kindly disposed to my request, and B) was far too worn out to get into any kind of verbal or physical scuffle with people who were clearly far more muscle than intellect.  I am not especially proud of my retreat, but at least I made the decision consciously.  Today, many people are trained to avoid discussion of difficult topics.  If someone tries to discuss an issue intelligently and openly, they are often vilified, marginalized, or laughed at.  Juan Williams, formerly of NPR, discusses this trend in an interview with The Daily Bell.  When it is impossible to discuss difficult and important topics (and most if not all important issues of the day are difficult and polarizing) how can constructive solutions be found?  Conflict is avoided, the current course of events continues down the same path, and the best possible result is stagnation. 

Einstein and others stated that insanity is best defined as doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.  Today I look at the world, in particular the west, and see nothing but insanity.  Without the willingness to discuss difficult issues, without a willingness to be uncomfortable and to question established orthodoxy, I expect to see a continued malaise and degradation of living standards in the United States and beyond.  This has nothing to do with the fact that Sally and Amanda are lovers, or that Tim likes to be tied up, or that Veronica is a Wiccan.  It has everything to do with a refusal to look at why things are as they are, and to have meaningful discussions about why we are on our current path as well as what we can do to change our course.

Here's to Thinking!: My First Diatribe

I heard something today that really spoke to me.  Admittedly, it came from a reasonably random movie, Sucker Punch, but still, a statement worth thinking about.   “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” 

The way I look at it, most people do not really know what they believe.  They listen to TV pundits, they read op-ed pieces, and only listen to what FEELS good.  We don’t want to think about what we hear, or what is going on.  We want to feel good.  Honestly, there is nothing wrong with feeling good.  But when it takes the place of critical thinking, when it takes the place of knowing what is right, feeling good is not an acceptable substitute for being aware.

Sadly, being aware is often uncomfortable.  I will not lie; I often fall into this trap too.  I hear a persuasive argument that justifies my world-view, and I jump to accept it.  I WANT to accept it, because it offers an easy answer to what I want to believe.  But then, I think about it, and suddenly, there are a million inconsistencies in the argument.

I am not saying that I know it all.  No one does.  But I do think that people in general are naturally inclined to take the easy answer, especially when we don’t have to come up with it ourselves.  Regardless of whether you follow Fox or MSNBC, or CNN, take a moment, and think about the information that is provided. Remember, even our “impartial” news has an agenda. So stop, take a minute (well, 15) and look at other information and views.  Go beyond the mainstream and get a wider perspective.  Talk to people who think differently.  Truly, talk to them, and find out why they think as they do.  Do not turn it into a debate.  Approach these discussions with an open mind, and try and figure out WHY they think as they do.

Finally, to return to my original statement, know what you believe.  Spend some time to really ponder those beliefs critically.  We are trained to be superficial.  Don’t feel bad, but it is true, from our childhoods on it is an unavoidable fact of life for virtually everyone.  Please give some time to meditating on not only WHAT you believe, by why.  This is not an easy or quick process, but it really, truly, honestly is worth your time.  Indeed, if we value our freedom, we must spend time thinking in such an uncomfortable manner.  What do we value?  What is important?  I do not presume to speak for you, or anyone.  But without a truly thoughtful understanding of where we come from, we come from nowhere…think on it friends.

My first post: An Introduction

I was recently told by a dear friend that maybe I should start putting my thoughts on the web.  My guess is he is tired of getting the occasional ranting text, and would rather peruse my thoughts at his leisure.  Or maybe he genuinely believes that others would be moderately interested.  Perhaps he is just stroking my ego.  Regardless, I decided to give it a try. 

These last few years I have been ruminating on why I believe what I do.  Where did these convictions come from?  More importantly, I have seriously attempted to correct the numerous conflicting beliefs that I had developed over almost thirty years of modern life.  Cognitive dissonance is a fact of life for most of us, and I realized that I did not really have consistent personal convictions.  Based on what I say I value, where am I deluding myself?  Often times, I realize I needed to take off rose-colored spectacles.  Equally often, I asked myself why I was so pessimistic on an issue.

I have found this both exhilarating and painful.  It is not fun to realize that half the time you are being an idiot...

That is more than enough.  I don't know exactly what I will be writing as I move forward with this experiment.  As is often said, oftentimes it is the journey, and not the destination that is the reward.