"Maybe wanting to fix our food and reverse our declining life expectancy and rebuild systems we can trust to actually safeguard our collective health is the single issue that can bring both sides of our bitterly divided nation together."
One would think so. When I floated just this idea out recently to a group of 5 women, one rolled her e…
"Maybe wanting to fix our food and reverse our declining life expectancy and rebuild systems we can trust to actually safeguard our collective health is the single issue that can bring both sides of our bitterly divided nation together."
One would think so. When I floated just this idea out recently to a group of 5 women, one rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, you're a Kennedy fan! Do you know he's now supporting Trump?" Apparently tainting the notion itself with that association.
Another chimed in - "Yeah, he's crazy. He thinks vaccines are killing people. Pass."
So, that's my block. At least the other 3 didn't join in. Conversation moved on...
Years ago the book _Future Shock_ posited that--even back THEN, BI (Before-Internet)--moderns were suffering from the assault on their consciousnesses by the explosion in the number of simple choices to be made, every day, all day, without respite.
The author, Toffler, concluded, if I recall correctly, that the human mind responded by taking defensive action: by making a choice at a high level, untold infinities of choices could be taken off the table at lower levels. For example, by choosing to be a biker dude, one would never have to face the millions of choices afflicting button-down guys, and v.v. If "I'm a stock-car fan, I don't have to break my head picking stock portfolios." (meant with no aspersions intended).
Toffler's analysis probably best explains why the country has divided itself into a handful of voter-blocs, most of whom seem to feel relieved of the pressure to think critically. By it I can easily understand people dismissing entire critical presentations with "our group doesn't do that." (I don't know if Toffler addressed how to "break through" these hardened, protective shells. TLDR. Plus, something shinier came up and "my group doesn't read to the end." I'll guess that the best time, like a good ol' democrat uses 'crisis', is when something earth-shaking shakes the prevailing view.)
Interesting. You say "recently". And woman #1 asked if you knew RFK is supporting Trump--as if that is new info to her. August 26, if I'm not in error. At this point that's over two months ago. Makes me wonder about just how insulated these people are.
"Maybe wanting to fix our food and reverse our declining life expectancy and rebuild systems we can trust to actually safeguard our collective health is the single issue that can bring both sides of our bitterly divided nation together."
One would think so. When I floated just this idea out recently to a group of 5 women, one rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, you're a Kennedy fan! Do you know he's now supporting Trump?" Apparently tainting the notion itself with that association.
Another chimed in - "Yeah, he's crazy. He thinks vaccines are killing people. Pass."
So, that's my block. At least the other 3 didn't join in. Conversation moved on...
I worked with a great guy many years ago who would occasionally point out, "You can't fix stupid." Don't take it personally.
👏👏👏
My boss had a variation based only on the location of the final quotation mark.
Kathleen - what's even more sad is that the other three women chose to remain quiet.
Years ago the book _Future Shock_ posited that--even back THEN, BI (Before-Internet)--moderns were suffering from the assault on their consciousnesses by the explosion in the number of simple choices to be made, every day, all day, without respite.
The author, Toffler, concluded, if I recall correctly, that the human mind responded by taking defensive action: by making a choice at a high level, untold infinities of choices could be taken off the table at lower levels. For example, by choosing to be a biker dude, one would never have to face the millions of choices afflicting button-down guys, and v.v. If "I'm a stock-car fan, I don't have to break my head picking stock portfolios." (meant with no aspersions intended).
Toffler's analysis probably best explains why the country has divided itself into a handful of voter-blocs, most of whom seem to feel relieved of the pressure to think critically. By it I can easily understand people dismissing entire critical presentations with "our group doesn't do that." (I don't know if Toffler addressed how to "break through" these hardened, protective shells. TLDR. Plus, something shinier came up and "my group doesn't read to the end." I'll guess that the best time, like a good ol' democrat uses 'crisis', is when something earth-shaking shakes the prevailing view.)
Oh yeah, Toffler - good point!
Interesting. You say "recently". And woman #1 asked if you knew RFK is supporting Trump--as if that is new info to her. August 26, if I'm not in error. At this point that's over two months ago. Makes me wonder about just how insulated these people are.
Very much like my experience.