Mark, thank you for taking the time to bring a bright light to the dilemma (or crisis, depending on one’s perspective), that our country (and the world at large) are facing. We cannot seem to create space for intellectual debate or cordial discussion of the facts in any situation. Why is it the we as Americans have become obsessed with not only being “RIGHT” but making sure the other side knows that THEY are WRONG? We no longer seek mutually satisfactory solutions. Every issue is now framed as “WINNER takes ALL.” The method, focuses not on intellectual dialogue about the facts, but rather by turning every topic the requires a decision into a polarizing argument. The facts are secondary, the real agenda is to dilute the topic to just the good zingers that have clear messages. You know, the all important dehumanizing, judgement heavy, insults that raise our scores with those who would agree with our position, while simultaneously igniting our opponents to the point of spontaneous combustion! I commend you, Mark, for taking the “Dragnet” approach and sticking to the facts, while remaining professional. Now, can you please discover the secret to cloning your rational approach to a factual discussion and then distribute your clones generously throughout out country so we can find a way back to the democracy our fore-fathers fought and died for?!!?
Thank you, Catherine. The situation is even crazier (or literal) than you might imagine.
I recently asked two people I know from the left if they'd join me and two people I know from the right for a conversation if I resurrected my radio show (which I stopped doing in September) as a podcast. This is what I wrote in my invitation:
"Because I think the world of both of you, the worst thing we can do is retreat to our respective corners, rather than advancing toward whatever middle ground we can find with the integrity and authenticity we espouse on the Friendship Bench. To that end, I wonder if you might participate in a resumption of The Anxious Voyage, this time as a podcast, rather than a radio show ... It might expand into a series of conversations. And it might create ripples none of us can anticipate. My role will be to play Yonason Goldson and to moderate the conversation as objectively as I can, especially given my regard for all parties involved."
Both people from the left declined — one claiming lack of time, the other citing dislike for the language in my Substack posts.
All I could think to say by way of response was this: "I can’t for the life of me understand what you’re so afraid of. I’m not that scary."
Mark, thank you for taking the time to bring a bright light to the dilemma (or crisis, depending on one’s perspective), that our country (and the world at large) are facing. We cannot seem to create space for intellectual debate or cordial discussion of the facts in any situation. Why is it the we as Americans have become obsessed with not only being “RIGHT” but making sure the other side knows that THEY are WRONG? We no longer seek mutually satisfactory solutions. Every issue is now framed as “WINNER takes ALL.” The method, focuses not on intellectual dialogue about the facts, but rather by turning every topic the requires a decision into a polarizing argument. The facts are secondary, the real agenda is to dilute the topic to just the good zingers that have clear messages. You know, the all important dehumanizing, judgement heavy, insults that raise our scores with those who would agree with our position, while simultaneously igniting our opponents to the point of spontaneous combustion! I commend you, Mark, for taking the “Dragnet” approach and sticking to the facts, while remaining professional. Now, can you please discover the secret to cloning your rational approach to a factual discussion and then distribute your clones generously throughout out country so we can find a way back to the democracy our fore-fathers fought and died for?!!?
Thank you, Catherine. The situation is even crazier (or literal) than you might imagine.
I recently asked two people I know from the left if they'd join me and two people I know from the right for a conversation if I resurrected my radio show (which I stopped doing in September) as a podcast. This is what I wrote in my invitation:
"Because I think the world of both of you, the worst thing we can do is retreat to our respective corners, rather than advancing toward whatever middle ground we can find with the integrity and authenticity we espouse on the Friendship Bench. To that end, I wonder if you might participate in a resumption of The Anxious Voyage, this time as a podcast, rather than a radio show ... It might expand into a series of conversations. And it might create ripples none of us can anticipate. My role will be to play Yonason Goldson and to moderate the conversation as objectively as I can, especially given my regard for all parties involved."
Both people from the left declined — one claiming lack of time, the other citing dislike for the language in my Substack posts.
All I could think to say by way of response was this: "I can’t for the life of me understand what you’re so afraid of. I’m not that scary."
Talking to the left has become no more fruitful than talking to a shoe. Except the shoe has a sole.
Moe to Curly and Larry, "The heel has no soul."
Facts vs Feelings
It never fails, does it?