CDZ Obama, Hillary, Trump, Fake News, Mueller, The Swamp.....

[Mac1958]

Just reviewing the current news cycle, thinking about D.C., the press and threads here...

I wonder how many words have been spent, and how much time has been spent, over the last 10 years or so on conspiracy theories, "breaking news", shocking developments, they're-really-gonna-get-it-now, this-is-the-big-one, fantastical conjecture, gotcha news stories, fanciful hypotheses and shallow wishful thinking.

And then I wonder, by contrast, how many words have been spent, how much time and effort has been spent, on looking honestly and critically at the issues that challenge, threaten and divide us and collaborating to create new, dynamic and innovating ways to address them and improve things together.

Is this really what we want? Is this really the best we can do? It appears to be, since this is all we do. It sure is easier than doing the heavy lifting that's needed.

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?
.

 

[JoeB131]

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?

Nope.

I think people understand the issues just fine. But "finding that solution to health care" just isn't that important when you have a crazy person in the White House with people like you making excuses for him every day.

On some level, the people on the right knew they screwed this up, but they simply can't admit it to themselves, much less the rest of us.

I'd love to really fix immigration or the health care problem. But when you have a sucking chest wound, you don't worry about a hang nail.

Trump is a sucking chest wound.

 

[sparky]

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?

We exist in a broken system raft with corruption and collusion , DC is a mecca for them all to fester in their fake news and accusations

~S~

 

[Mac1958]

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?

We exist in a broken system raft with corruption and collusion , DC is a mecca for them all to fester in their fake news and accusations
~S~

Yeah. We do tend to let ourselves then get sucked into it.
.

 

[sparky]

Yeah we do Mac....

for ex, MAGA sold just as well as Hope & Change

same crowd, dif year

~S~

 

[Confounding]

Just reviewing the current news cycle, thinking about D.C., the press and threads here...

I wonder how many words have been spent, and how much time has been spent, over the last 10 years or so on conspiracy theories, "breaking news", shocking developments, they're-really-gonna-get-it-now, this-is-the-big-one, fantastical conjecture, gotcha news stories, fanciful hypotheses and shallow wishful thinking.

And then I wonder, by contrast, how many words have been spent, how much time and effort has been spent, on looking honestly and critically at the issues that challenge, threaten and divide us and collaborating to create new, dynamic and innovating ways to address them and improve things together.

Is this really what we want? Is this really the best we can do? It appears to be, since this is all we do. It sure is easier than doing the heavy lifting that's needed.

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?
.

Stubbornness and pride...

Most people aren't actually willing to try to see the other side and find compromise.

"It's my way or go fuck yourself."

Also it's amazing what lengths people will go to to BS themselves into believing they're not wrong. People look at being wrong the wrong way. You're not stupid for being wrong. We're all just people; nobody knows everything. Whether or not you're stupid depends on how you respond to it. It's an opportunity for you to learn something and grow.

 

[Tehon]

Just reviewing the current news cycle, thinking about D.C., the press and threads here...

I wonder how many words have been spent, and how much time has been spent, over the last 10 years or so on conspiracy theories, "breaking news", shocking developments, they're-really-gonna-get-it-now, this-is-the-big-one, fantastical conjecture, gotcha news stories, fanciful hypotheses and shallow wishful thinking.

And then I wonder, by contrast, how many words have been spent, how much time and effort has been spent, on looking honestly and critically at the issues that challenge, threaten and divide us and collaborating to create new, dynamic and innovating ways to address them and improve things together.

Is this really what we want? Is this really the best we can do? It appears to be, since this is all we do. It sure is easier than doing the heavy lifting that's needed.

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?
.

We are being fed a load of crap to keep us busy while the ruling class continues to consolidate their wealth.

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

 

[Mac1958]

Just reviewing the current news cycle, thinking about D.C., the press and threads here...

I wonder how many words have been spent, and how much time has been spent, over the last 10 years or so on conspiracy theories, "breaking news", shocking developments, they're-really-gonna-get-it-now, this-is-the-big-one, fantastical conjecture, gotcha news stories, fanciful hypotheses and shallow wishful thinking.

And then I wonder, by contrast, how many words have been spent, how much time and effort has been spent, on looking honestly and critically at the issues that challenge, threaten and divide us and collaborating to create new, dynamic and innovating ways to address them and improve things together.

Is this really what we want? Is this really the best we can do? It appears to be, since this is all we do. It sure is easier than doing the heavy lifting that's needed.

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?
.

Stubbornness and pride...

Most people aren't actually willing to try to see the other side and find compromise.

"It's my way or go fuck yourself."

It's amazing what lengths people will go to to BS themselves into believing they're not wrong. People look at being wrong the wrong way. You're not stupid for being wrong. We're all just people; nobody knows everything. Whether or not you're stupid depends on how you respond to it. It's an opportunity for you to learn something and grow.

Well, that goes to a lot of reading I've done on the subconscious and political partisanship.

People who adhere to an ideology (politics, religion, whatever) can indeed talk themselves into some pretty amazing things, to the point at which their very perceptions and thought processes are distorted. So, and this is the troubling part, they really do believe some of the ridiculous things they say.

So in this context, I wonder if we subconsciously detach ourselves from doing the intellectual heavy lifting of critical thinking and collaboration, and then essentially talk ourselves out of the need for them.

I dunno. Maybe I'm giving us too much credit, maybe it's simpler than that.
.

 

[JoeB131]

Stubbornness and pride...

Most people aren't actually willing to try to see the other side and find compromise.

"It's my way or go fuck yourself."

Also it's amazing what lengths people will go to to BS themselves into believing they're not wrong. People look at being wrong the wrong way. You're not stupid for being wrong. We're all just people; nobody knows everything. Whether or not you're stupid depends on how you respond to it. It's an opportunity for you to learn something and grow.

Here's the thing. I was a staunch Republican until 2008. Then I looked at my busted 401K, my reduced salary and my underwater mortgage and I said, "What the hell did I get myself into"...

and the GOP responded with parading a boatload of religious crazy.

Now, the thing is, Stormy Mac has it about half right. the extremes have taken over the GOP, without a doubt. The Religious nuts, the Libertarian Nuts, the Gun Nuts... They have their issues they care about and they don't care about health care unless they just got shot outside of their church by a gun nut.

It's not just the right wing is wrong, it's that they can't admit they made a mistake. They are doing all the same dumb things under Trump they did under Baby Bush. Like they aren't going to get exactly the same result.

 

[Mac1958]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

 

[mudwhistle]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

So you think taking a stand on any issue is wrong?

 

[sparky]

Just reviewing the current news cycle, thinking about D.C., the press and threads here...

I wonder how many words have been spent, and how much time has been spent, over the last 10 years or so on conspiracy theories, "breaking news", shocking developments, they're-really-gonna-get-it-now, this-is-the-big-one, fantastical conjecture, gotcha news stories, fanciful hypotheses and shallow wishful thinking.

And then I wonder, by contrast, how many words have been spent, how much time and effort has been spent, on looking honestly and critically at the issues that challenge, threaten and divide us and collaborating to create new, dynamic and innovating ways to address them and improve things together.

Is this really what we want? Is this really the best we can do? It appears to be, since this is all we do. It sure is easier than doing the heavy lifting that's needed.

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?
.

We are being fed a load of crap to keep us busy while the ruling class continues to consolidate their wealth.

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I wish more folks would 'get' that...

 

[sparky]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

So you think taking a stand on any issue is wrong?

No, but obsessing on wedge issues is a waste of time

~S~

 

[Mac1958]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

So you think taking a stand on any issue is wrong?

Um, no.

Is that really what you got from my post?
.

 

[mudwhistle]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

So you think taking a stand on any issue is wrong?

No, but obsessing on wedge issues is a waste of time

~S~

Who's obsessing here?

 

[mudwhistle]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

So you think taking a stand on any issue is wrong?

Um, no.

Is that really what you got from my post?
.

Amongst other things.

 

[Confounding]

People who adhere to an ideology (politics, religion, whatever) can indeed talk themselves into some pretty amazing things, to the point at which their very perceptions and thought processes are distorted. So, and this is the troubling part, they really do believe some of the ridiculous things they say.

It doesn't take much to convince yourself that somebody else is spouting nonsense when you came into the conversation 100% convinced that there's no way you're wrong. Also some people wrap so much of their identity up in their politics. It'd fuck up their whole world to realize they're wrong.

So in this context, I wonder if we subconsciously detach ourselves from doing the intellectual heavy lifting of critical thinking and collaboration, and then essentially talk ourselves out of the need for them.

I dunno. Maybe I'm giving us too much credit, maybe it's simpler than that.
.

I think people definitely convince themselves they don't need to critically think about stuff. "Well, I know I'm right, and he's just a stupid asshole, so I can be a bit lazy about this."

 

[Mac1958]

Isn't it obvious. We are a nation ruled by an ideology of individualism and self interest. What you are seeing is the result.

I agree to a point, but I do think that going too far in the opposite direction (another one of our traits) is not the answer, either.

We don't appear to have the intellectual patience required to find points of equilibrium.
.

So you think taking a stand on any issue is wrong?

Um, no.

Is that really what you got from my post?
.

Amongst other things.

Okay. I answered your question, please answer mine.

On one hand, we can completely avoid discussing an important issue. Take no "stands" on any issue.

On the other hand, we can divide ourselves by tribes and address the issue with hyperbole, distortions, Straw Man arguments, personal insults, name-calling, myopia, goofy conspiracies, and deflection.

Can you imagine anything, any methods, any behaviors, in between those two things?
.

 

[Mac1958]

Also some people wrap so much of their identity up in their politics. It'd fuck up their whole world to realize they're wrong.

Yeah, I think this is key. It would explain why we're so quick to (a) get defensive and then (b) wildly attack. It has to be coming from a place that's pretty deep.
.

 

[PredFan]

Just reviewing the current news cycle, thinking about D.C., the press and threads here...

I wonder how many words have been spent, and how much time has been spent, over the last 10 years or so on conspiracy theories, "breaking news", shocking developments, they're-really-gonna-get-it-now, this-is-the-big-one, fantastical conjecture, gotcha news stories, fanciful hypotheses and shallow wishful thinking.

And then I wonder, by contrast, how many words have been spent, how much time and effort has been spent, on looking honestly and critically at the issues that challenge, threaten and divide us and collaborating to create new, dynamic and innovating ways to address them and improve things together.

Is this really what we want? Is this really the best we can do? It appears to be, since this is all we do. It sure is easier than doing the heavy lifting that's needed.

What happened to us? Is anyone else wondering this?
.

It stems from the problem with our educational system. We are getting dumber and dumber. We also are getting more emotional. It’s easier to react to the emotions you feel than to think about the problem logically. Our emotions are either soothed or agitated by the media and our culture. We become addicted to this manipulation and actively seek it out. Those of us who were taught to think and reason are getting older and dying out.