The Blog

2021-

2021-08-08 h
THE STATE OF THE DISUNION VIII

The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
William Butler Yeats, The Second Coming, 1919

Recently I have realized that all my progressive friends are unable to articulate
the tradeoffs associated with their viewpoints.

They are reading the same things, spending time with other liberals, and generally
uninterested in questioning their beliefs.

This is problematic.

— Michelle Tandler @michelletandler August 6, 2021

When I share learnings around tradeoffs they tend to become morally indignant
& emotionally worked up.

They say things like "that is preposterous! how can you think that...?"

I find myself at a loss... It's hard to argue with someone in a religious fervor.

— Michelle Tandler @michelletandler August 6, 2021

They will spout talking point after talking point...

"the system is broken"

"capitalism doesn't work"

"system racism"

"industrial complex"

They sound almost bot-like.

— Michelle Tandler @michelletandler August 6, 2021

It is not easy to have a productive conversation.

I have been studying so many differing viewpoints.

I'm not interested in demonizing one side or the other. I'm interested in the truth.

I want to know the tradeoffs, the unintended consequence, the downstream ramifications.

— Michelle Tandler @michelletandler August 6, 2021

What I have come to realize is that most people aren't actually interested
in politics.

They are interested in feeling good about themselves.

It's a hell of a lot easier to say "billionaires shouldn't exist" than to take a look
at the % of time & money they spend on charity.

— Michelle Tandler @michelletandler August 6, 2021

The moral grandstanding I see among my friends on the far left has become
increasingly frustrating to me.

Few are grounded in data or facts. Everything is about "values" - not logic.

I would say 90% of my progressive friends don't have a single conservative friend.

— Michelle Tandler @michelletandler August 6, 2021

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