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Culture of Contempt   The Curious You: Beliefs and Ideas

Started Sep-30 by WALTER784; 184 views.
Msg 1 of 6
WALTER784
Staff

From: WALTER784

Sep-30

Culture of Contempt

September 29, 2023
Kerby Anderson

We are a divided country, but it may be worse than we imagined. An article in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discussed what is called “motive attribution asymmetry.” That’s a technical term for the assumption that your ideology is based on love and your opponent’s is based on hate. Put another way: we are the good guys, and they are the bad guys.
 
They discovered that the average Republican and the average Democrat today are as divided as the Palestinians and Israelis. In his op-ed in the New York Times, Arthur Brooks says we see the other side as “an enemy with whom one cannot negotiate or compromise.”
 
He comes to this startling conclusion. “People often say that our problem in America is incivility or intolerance. That is incorrect. Motive attribution asymmetry leads to something far worse: contempt, which is a noxious brew of anger and disgust.” And it is made worse by what he calls the “outrage industrial complex” that caters to one side and criticizes the other.
 
When people hear about political conflicts, they often prescribe the wrong solutions. Just because we disagree, doesn’t mean we should put aside our disagreements. Arthur Brooks says we need not disagree less. Instead, we need to disagree better. Whether we are discussing politics, economics, or philosophy, we should engage in a robust “competition of ideas.” We can disagree without being so disagreeable.
 
He suggests two steps. First, turn away from what he calls the “rhetorical dope peddlers.” These are powerful people on your side who are profiting from the culture of contempt. Second, make a commitment never to treat others with contempt. Christians should be civil and gracious.

Culture of Contempt - Point of View - Point of View

FWIW

 
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Msg 2 of 6 to WALTER784WALTER784 
In reply toRe: msg 1
Showtalk
Host

From: Showtalk

Sep-30

There is also the attitude that people are entitled to always be right. Life doesn’t work that way.

  • Edited September 30, 2023 11:11 pm  by  Showtalk
 
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Msg 3 of 6 to Showtalkshowtalk 
In reply toRe: msg 2
WALTER784
Staff

From: WALTER784

Sep-30

Everybody is entitled to think what they want to... but that doesn't necessarily make it right!

The problem is people like this will not discuss or debate an issue but will only continue to force their issue regardless of what you think.

And that is the impasse that we're at today!

FWIW 

 
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Msg 4 of 6 to WALTER784WALTER784 
In reply toRe: msg 3
Showtalk
Host

From: Showtalk

Sep-30

And get offended.

 
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Msg 5 of 6 to Showtalkshowtalk 
In reply toRe: msg 4
WALTER784
Staff

From: WALTER784

Sep-30

The funny thing about being offended is...

I become offended that they're offended... but becoming offended doesn't resolve anything. And the right not to be offended is not guaranteed in our Constitution, so if they become offended... tell 'em to suck it in and deal with it.

FWIW

 
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Msg 6 of 6 to WALTER784WALTER784 
In reply toRe: msg 5
Showtalk
Host

From: Showtalk

Sep-30

And it never ends.

 
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