[TriLUG] of-list Re: OT: PT One tech issue from tonight's debate

[matt at noway2.thruhere.net]

Steve, I think you may have misunderstood what I was trying to say and I
would like to offer up a clarification. The polarization I was referring
to is that which is being created artificially, mostly by the talking
heads, much of which is aimed specifically at non thinkers.  I wasn't
refering to thinkers, as pathalogical but the message of the two extremes.
 Specifically, if one listens to any political or economic media outlet,
both Conservative or Liberal, and listens dispationately, you will notice
the framing of their statements is: either you agree with my entire
premise, or your against me.  Furthermore, the messages are designed to
make you, the listener, feel singled out against a whole nation of people
for whom the truth is intuitively obvious.  It is being phrased in such a
way that there is no room for thinkining alternatives.

Part of the problem, and what I was trying to get at with my message is
that I think that this tactic has been succesful and we are seeing it
reflected in the populist attitudes.  For example: either we have the best
health care system in the world, or we have a system that ranks marginally
better than some war torn nations.  Similarly, as see in a couple of
recent threads: either this is a great state to live with many high paying
tech opportunities, OR it is a state that ranks very low in education and
employment.  Both of these positions are correct.

It is equally important to realize that we can adress the problems, the
alternatives aren't limited to shut up or move.

> On Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:50:59 -0400, matt at noway2.thruhere.net said:
>> Good Evening Joe,
>>
>> I understand what you are saying and I wish I had an explanation. It
>> seems as if the nation is becoming polarized between two pathological
>> extremes, neither of which is wholly correct and neither of which is
>> willing to listen to any sort of reason.
>
> Hi Matt,
>
> What you wrote above doesn't correctly portray the real situation. On
> one side are people beating their chests and yelling "Let em all in if
> they have degrees!" The polar opposite of that would be "Seal the
> borders, America for Americans!" Nobody, and I mean nobody, said that.
>
> One side basically said "The corporations should be allowed to do
> anything they want!" The polar opposite of that would be "Nationalize
> the corporations, allow no private ownership!" Nobody said that either.
>
> One side was polarized, the other just said "Wait, let's be thoughtful
> and take a look at this."
>
> If you want people to actually think about their views, it's important
> not to characterize thinkers as "polarized" or a "pathological
> extreme", just because another bunch instinctively knee-jerks as far to
> one side of the spectrum as possible.
>