attack with reason

Fake news, fake knowledge, and fake wisdom are something humans have had with in perpetuity.

John Adams

"Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery of party, faction, and division of society." - John Adams

 

Headlines can lead to fear, anger, arousal, or some other part of us that isn't related to critical thinking and political analysis. Everyone slinging mud is secure in the knowledge that they are right, and that everyone else who thinks differently is an idiot.

The only way to really understand why someone may hold a different viewpoint is through empathy. But how can we empathize when we don't have control over how the world appears to us? 

Our "filter" serves as a buffer to stories that might help us connect with the other side. 

We need to groom our sense of public life and a sense of civic responsibility. Our transparency gives us some control, not lack of it. We have to filter content that comes to us. We need to read outside our "comfort zone". Let's keep our minds clear and demand content outside our filter. We'll get access to new information.

 

The safe place for our thoughts isn't all that safe.  

Our "zone" gets bombarded with opposing viewpoints. Our attitude has to amend. This allows us to receive viewpoints that are misguided, wrong, and disgusting. After receive these opposing views can we attack with reason. 

No terrible idea can survive the light of day armed with intelligent opposition.

 

This notion will make our world a little clearer in a time where it's increasingly hard to get our arms around what's what.