Reply #52: The Thing About Open-Mindedness

[aden_nak]

The thing about open-mindedness is that, well. . . it's a great thing for a person to have, and an even better thing for a society to have. That being said, it's NOT a great thing for anyone on the front line of politics to SHOW.

It is one thing to consider all viewpoints and understand the full situation before coming to a conclusion. That's perfectly fine. And I also agree that one should consider new information, even if it contradicts their current views. That's called being a logical creature.

But there is this undercurrent, this self-destructive concept that everyone has to take the time to consider every ELSE'S words. . . even if you have heard the argument before and been unswayed. The "problem" with open-mindedness is that most people aren't quite bright enough to hold the whole concept in their mind at one time.

If you are part of the political right, then you are "right" as far as you are concerned. Few and far between are the true right-wing political soldiers that allow even the hint of doubt to creep into their public persona. It's that relentlessness that allows the right to paint itself as "decisive" and "confident", even if it is also flat out friggin' wrong.

The left, on the other hand, often spends too much time conceding "valid points" or "interesting views" on subjects they know damn well they've already figured out. In the festering shitstorm of American "political debate", the loudest, crankiest voice often triumphs in the collective conscious of the nation.

The problem with open-mindedness isn't WITH open-mindedness, but with the perception of that open-mindedness as weakness of uncertainty.

Imagine for a moment that you are driving down the road with two people in the back seat. Let's just call them John and George. You come to a fork in the road, and don't know which way to turn. So, naturally, you ask your passengers for advice.

George: "Turn right. I know the way, it's just around the corner from here. Don't listen to John, he's a stupid prick. TURN RIGHT!"

John: "While I agree that turning right has it's merrits, I honestly believe that if we turn left, we will see significant improvement."

George: "Left absolutely sucks. It's a dead end. TURN RIGHT! RIIIIIGHT!"

John: "George, that's an interesting take on-"

George: "RIIIIGHT! GIVE ME THE WHEEL GOD DAMN IT!"

Odds are you're going to be turning right. Which is what this country has been doing for a long, long time now.