Different Perspectives and Politics

I avoid topics of politics for multiple reasons, despite my interest in the beliefs of others.

Like belief systems, politics tend to be tightly integrated with a person’s identity.

There perils of such discussions:

It’s a quick way to get associated with a given identity and then dismissed
When values aren’t shared, imagined slights are more frequent
Emotion can stifle interaction

an aside on the religion of individuals

I find religion to be fascinating. Books are good for getting an idealized form of a given religion’s tenets, but individuals provide insight through discussion because I get to hear how they have integrated that religion into their life – and religions aren’t static, they change over time, and some of that change means a different interpretation of that written word than what may be obvious. Interacting with a person gives concepts real form through real examples with how that person lives with and adapts an idealized system to their lives. It’s a glimpse into the model they apply to the world. It’s art and it’s beautiful.

back to the topic

Learning the political beliefs of others is much like learning about their religion. Politics has a lot to do with belief systems that others ascribe to, and so, like religions, I find it fascinating. Aside from being an opportunity to apply a different perspective or a new model to topics, it’s a mechanism for increased understanding of a given topic. Another person can much more fluently convey why they feel a given way about a given topic and state the evidence that leads them to this better than I can guess on my own limited experiences.

so what’s the problem

There’s something that happens where a concept has different meanings to different people. And one person may decide that a topic has a particular meaning, and assume everyone else has the same knowledge they do of that topic, and by aligning themselves differently, they’re really saying or meaning something that isn’t obvious to me from the topic.

This is a new peril that’s closely related to the above three: the imagination of perfect knowledge. It’s easy to assume that all parties have the same knowledge of a topic. What else could it be but an affront to a personally held value when someone else with this same knowledge decides to take a path that others don’t like? Obviously they suffer a mental deficiency of some sort that prevents them from reasoning clearly, or they’re a terrible person and are actively trying to make a terrible choice. Or they’re just being obstinate or selfish or childish… I hope it’s obvious this is all hyperbole.

no really, what’s the problem

These are opportunities of conflict. But conflict only works when all the parties involved can spend at least as much time listening and asking questions as they do telling their own side.

Conflict is an opportunity to step back and re-evaluate the situation. It’s an opportunity to challenge assumptions. That assumption of perfect knowledge is probably the first thing that should be challenged. Followed by challenging exactly whom it is that is lacking information.

And even if all parties know everything about the situation, maybe there’s some cultural or personal knowledge of past strategies that needs to come to light before choices start to make sense.

so what’s the point of this rambling

As fascinating as it can be with a one on one or in-person discussion, the online discussion of politics is a giant clusterfuck of misunderstandings, dog whistles, virtue signaling, and otherwise rational people becoming highly irrational and utterly losing their shit. And this is typically preceded by the perils I mention earlier. I don’t want to step in that. When it reaches this point, people draw lines, shut down, and stop listening. They forfeit the benefits of the opportunities of conflict I mentioned above. The reward typically isn’t worth the trouble.

So, while I love the exposure to the viewpoints of others, I’m not going to step in and ask for clarification on anything that’s directly political.

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