I'm so tired of the idea that people we listen to have to:
a) Have opinions on every topic (especially those outside their expertise)
b) Opine those opinions publicly or else be accused of participation in whatever someone doesn't like
c) Parrot exactly what someone else already believes or be accused of being a plant for, not just the other side, but the furthest extreme of the other side
This is not how human beings work.
People may not have well considered opinions on all topics- I certainly don't.
People may choose to stay out of a conversation for a myriad of reasons.
People may have opinions that are right in some areas and wrong in others.
We need to get away from the idea of someone not fitting a mold exactly as a moral failure. It's not a moral failure to be a person.
@serge That c) especially.
When a different vantage point - not even a disagreement, might simply be trying to exchange information so everyone has a more comprehensive understanding - is warped into an extreme....
It may be that, or a different prioritization, or lots of things.
And it's tricky when it's really core stuff to you- I certainly have my core issues. But we can't be entirely consumed with demanding complete agreement. It's harmful to ourselves, to others, and society.
@serge these people are the roadside IEDs on the highway to information. You can do your best to avoid them but you're probably still gonna take some shrapnel from being in their vicinity.
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