"I would love to “come down with a case of The Hope,” too!" I would too Rowshan. I do not like the place I am in. Decades ago I began my migration from center right to progressive. It was gradual, and as it developed, I became increasingly disgusted and impatient with our system of government in this country. Also I think I became a…
"I would love to “come down with a case of The Hope,” too!" I would too Rowshan. I do not like the place I am in. Decades ago I began my migration from center right to progressive. It was gradual, and as it developed, I became increasingly disgusted and impatient with our system of government in this country. Also I think I became a less happy camper - what a shame. Blinders were off, and my eyes were getting used to the light so to speak, and I didn't like what I saw. I think many of us have a similar story. Today, or yesterday, I feel like I am as low as low can get. The planet is burning, and the Republican party is trying their best (pretty successfully too) to have it continue to do so; so what if human civilization is forever altered if not destroyed. The Republican Party is outwardly trying to subvert democracy in my country, a minority party trying to seize power from the majority, cement it that way forever, and turn it into the something along the lines of the Republic of Gilead. And that is something I never thought I'd see. We now live in a full blown oligarchy; whose billionaire class doesn't want to pay their taxes yet wants all the benefits, is completely in bed with the Republican Party, and are so powerful that it isn't clear anything can be done. BUT - could it be we are starting to see the beginnings of the crumbling of the forces of evil? Is logic beginning to win out. Compassion, critical thinking turning the tide? If so, let us not let up. Keep the strangle hold until there is no life left in it. And play dirty if that is what it takes.
Thanks, James. I'm always interested in stories like yours where a person DOES in fact change! What, if Imay ask, were the influences or forces that helped you change? Why or when did you begin to be more logical and compassionate or learn critical thinking? At some precise point or gradually? Why did you change?
Mary - how did I change? Why? Thank you for asking. I think it was inevitable. I am largely a southern person although I've been around. My family, like so many other southern families, is quite racist - my dad (deceased), my mom (in assisted living), and my three siblings all who live in the deep south. I was NEVER comfortable with the racism I saw every day while growing up. I cannot explain that; my friends didn't seem to have any problem with it. And I was destined to be an engineer - math and science were my skill sets in high school. The engineering profession has a whole lot of rational thinkers and problem solvers; they are thick as thieves. And this mindset I think is more likely to result in progressive thinking. Most (not all) have well developed BS meters. Then came the "aha" moment. In my late 20's I dusted off years of old "Scientific American" magazines one day, that I had paid no attention to up til that point, and started reading articles about deep space, evolution, sub-atomic particle physics, etc, and I tell you - it all started falling into place. Later, after moving to WA state and picking up mountain climbing, my progressive attitudes were just re-enforced - something about the grandeur of high mountain glaciated wilderness can affect a person's soul, can put a person in his/her place. Not sure if this adequately explains to many, but it does to me. I wish I could spread it but few seem to want to listen.
Thanks, James, for responding. It seems you were different from the beginning than your parents and siblings in that you were not comfortable with racism. I wonder how many Prof. Richardson fans could say the same thing , we were different from our siblings even as youngsters.
Ageuk.org says, "We inherit cognitive function [thinking skills] from our parents, in the same way that physical characteristics are passed down. Scientists have discovered that, unlike eye colour, cognitive function is not influenced by a few genes but by many. Individually, each gene has a small influence but together they account for more than half (or 50%) of the differences in cognitive function between us." Given this, it's easy to understand why siblings can be so different. Of course there is also the influence of opportunity and education as we grow, both significant, as you experienced and mention in your explanation.
Even though I'm generally familiar with the demographics of Trumpers, it's still hard to wrap my brain around the characteristics or reasons so many people have been deluded by him. But I've also realized many followers aren't deluded; they are just going along with Trump for their own advantage but they know the truth.
Thanks again. You've confirmed that open-mindedness and education are two key characteristics of the more liberal mindset.
Forgot to mention Mary - that the most important "aha" moment for me when boning up on all things science years ago was climate change. That literally set my hair on fire. Because I knew it to be true - the evidence even decades ago was irrefutable. And now - well we are on our way aren't we. To me, nothing else matters nearly as much - I am left wondering what to tell my kids - where to move, how to prepare. It's our planet for gods sake. And look who the deniers are. Hyper-religious Christians, self-serving industrialists, heads of so many corporations, other 1%'ers who see their fortunes put at risk, and of course the Republicans who represent them all. And look who don't care or don't know to care - poorly educated and/or willingly ignorant people with their collective heads in the sand, some being gaslighted to not trust the scientific world. WTF? I was one of those years ago. No more.
"I would love to “come down with a case of The Hope,” too!" I would too Rowshan. I do not like the place I am in. Decades ago I began my migration from center right to progressive. It was gradual, and as it developed, I became increasingly disgusted and impatient with our system of government in this country. Also I think I became a less happy camper - what a shame. Blinders were off, and my eyes were getting used to the light so to speak, and I didn't like what I saw. I think many of us have a similar story. Today, or yesterday, I feel like I am as low as low can get. The planet is burning, and the Republican party is trying their best (pretty successfully too) to have it continue to do so; so what if human civilization is forever altered if not destroyed. The Republican Party is outwardly trying to subvert democracy in my country, a minority party trying to seize power from the majority, cement it that way forever, and turn it into the something along the lines of the Republic of Gilead. And that is something I never thought I'd see. We now live in a full blown oligarchy; whose billionaire class doesn't want to pay their taxes yet wants all the benefits, is completely in bed with the Republican Party, and are so powerful that it isn't clear anything can be done. BUT - could it be we are starting to see the beginnings of the crumbling of the forces of evil? Is logic beginning to win out. Compassion, critical thinking turning the tide? If so, let us not let up. Keep the strangle hold until there is no life left in it. And play dirty if that is what it takes.
James, we need to keep believing that we can change things! It needn’t be this way! Vote!
Thanks, James. I'm always interested in stories like yours where a person DOES in fact change! What, if Imay ask, were the influences or forces that helped you change? Why or when did you begin to be more logical and compassionate or learn critical thinking? At some precise point or gradually? Why did you change?
Mary - how did I change? Why? Thank you for asking. I think it was inevitable. I am largely a southern person although I've been around. My family, like so many other southern families, is quite racist - my dad (deceased), my mom (in assisted living), and my three siblings all who live in the deep south. I was NEVER comfortable with the racism I saw every day while growing up. I cannot explain that; my friends didn't seem to have any problem with it. And I was destined to be an engineer - math and science were my skill sets in high school. The engineering profession has a whole lot of rational thinkers and problem solvers; they are thick as thieves. And this mindset I think is more likely to result in progressive thinking. Most (not all) have well developed BS meters. Then came the "aha" moment. In my late 20's I dusted off years of old "Scientific American" magazines one day, that I had paid no attention to up til that point, and started reading articles about deep space, evolution, sub-atomic particle physics, etc, and I tell you - it all started falling into place. Later, after moving to WA state and picking up mountain climbing, my progressive attitudes were just re-enforced - something about the grandeur of high mountain glaciated wilderness can affect a person's soul, can put a person in his/her place. Not sure if this adequately explains to many, but it does to me. I wish I could spread it but few seem to want to listen.
Thanks, James, for responding. It seems you were different from the beginning than your parents and siblings in that you were not comfortable with racism. I wonder how many Prof. Richardson fans could say the same thing , we were different from our siblings even as youngsters.
Ageuk.org says, "We inherit cognitive function [thinking skills] from our parents, in the same way that physical characteristics are passed down. Scientists have discovered that, unlike eye colour, cognitive function is not influenced by a few genes but by many. Individually, each gene has a small influence but together they account for more than half (or 50%) of the differences in cognitive function between us." Given this, it's easy to understand why siblings can be so different. Of course there is also the influence of opportunity and education as we grow, both significant, as you experienced and mention in your explanation.
Even though I'm generally familiar with the demographics of Trumpers, it's still hard to wrap my brain around the characteristics or reasons so many people have been deluded by him. But I've also realized many followers aren't deluded; they are just going along with Trump for their own advantage but they know the truth.
Thanks again. You've confirmed that open-mindedness and education are two key characteristics of the more liberal mindset.
Forgot to mention Mary - that the most important "aha" moment for me when boning up on all things science years ago was climate change. That literally set my hair on fire. Because I knew it to be true - the evidence even decades ago was irrefutable. And now - well we are on our way aren't we. To me, nothing else matters nearly as much - I am left wondering what to tell my kids - where to move, how to prepare. It's our planet for gods sake. And look who the deniers are. Hyper-religious Christians, self-serving industrialists, heads of so many corporations, other 1%'ers who see their fortunes put at risk, and of course the Republicans who represent them all. And look who don't care or don't know to care - poorly educated and/or willingly ignorant people with their collective heads in the sand, some being gaslighted to not trust the scientific world. WTF? I was one of those years ago. No more.
Well said. Life is indeed a journey.