A few days ago I had to apologise to Germaine for an incoherent post. I've decided to try writing my first 'discussion point' and explain what I was thinking with more clarity and not shoe horning it into other topics....
First a few statements/axioms to build from:
1. Humans have some deep biases in the way we process information. We tend to be emotional not rational first.
2. People are pretty bad at spotting their own biases, you can improve but never get true objective clarity.
3. Changing people's minds tends to be difficult because of the biases.
4. No 'system' is perfect and people will try and game every system.
Those I think are statements which can be proved, however, I will also add...
5. People tend to want 'rules' and 'order' and get invested in their world view as it gives them certainty but like all things 'biological' there are a range of responses.
Which I'm happy to be challenged on but my point is based on these...
The last 50-60 years has seen some major changes in western civilisation. Loads of previous 'rules' which defined society have been abandoned and new rules about accepting people have come in.
This has caused friction and tension, as society changes and experiences 'growing pangs' and old rules are removed.
However, we're now at an interesting point....we're moving from replacing 'rules' with 'new rules' to, in some areas 'anything goes' ….. take transgender. Used to be Gay = bad then gay = ok now people are being asked to accept whatever = ok.
However, the new ways of thinking aren't easy....yes some people are transgender and the world should accept them for this. However, some people will use this to game the system and take advantage.
And this is where it becomes more difficult - these concerns are right, there may be issues. To deny them only increases the fear and anxiety in others and causes the revulsion against them.
When people are frightened they tend to react angrily and retreat to where they do feel safe - rigidity and defined behaviours of right and wrong. The biases that then protect these positions also entrench them.
So when a 'liberal' shouts down the concerns of 'conservatives' they are themselves helping to create the animosity and adversarial atmosphere they are upset about.
And the stupid thing is that the liberal viewpoint has nearly 'won'...
This link is to Pew Research shows how views have changed since 1994 to 2014.
Pew Research on Ideological Consistency
It shows something amazing - yes that since 2004 there is a polarisation BUT overall there is still a shift to 'liberal' positions. The median position is far more liberal now than when the survey started and the true 'conservative' is now in a minority.
My position is that we're looking at this wrong. Liberals get triggered when conservatives call us names and think that they are nasty and racist but actually they are frightened and lashing out because they aren't sure what the rules are. Sure there are people who take advantage of that (Trump) but there always will be and the way to change their mind isn't to denigrate them as to them Trump is giving vent to their fears....the best way to help is to help reduce their fears.
A generation ago we created safe spaces for Women and LGB people to help them learn to be confident in a society that was coming to terms with their new position. I propose we need to do the same for conservatives and make them feel safe in the new society that they no longer feel part of.
B&B orig: 7/19/19
No comments:
Post a Comment