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Basic observation about peoples today......
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Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 9:40 AM

Probably end up being a TDDR Cool story bro post, but anyway....

As a nation, we are better educated en masse than any other moment in history. I suspect that the literacy rate is at an all time high (and rising), and the percent of population with a HS degree or higher has to rise every year as well.

Despite that, more and more people (all sides) seem to be as emotional as ever, and emotion seems to be the primary, if not exclusive, driver in people's decision making. Logic, reason, and common sense just seem to be side distractions now.....if something makes you feel a certain way, then it's as good as a universal truth with no further examination needed.

It's chicken or egg with the media....perhaps they've caused this, or perhaps they've simply decided to ride the wave, but the majority of reporting nowadays relies on an emotional reaction, whether it's sensational headlines that don't accurately convey the article body, or just the regularity now of loaded words in articles that would have had editors' hair on fire 40-50 years ago.

It also shows in politics....you don't need to demonstrate anymore that your policies quantitatively benefit those you want to vote for you, you just need to make them believe qualitatively that your opponent is a doodoo-head and their supporters evil.

So we've become well-educated idiots, with no sign of the trend reversing. What stops this? When does critical thinking take the reins back from visceral reaction? How do we become more Spock and less Bones? Legit asking, because I don't see an answer, and the scary part is the more this trend continues, the more easily manipulated we are.

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I estimate that 50% get their news from memes.


Sep 10, 2020, 9:46 AM

Based on my Buddybook feed.

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We need something dramatic to unite humanity.


Sep 10, 2020, 9:49 AM

That's why I'm going to teleport a biologically-engineered, telepathic creature to New York City which would kill millions and convince the world that they were under extraterrestrial attack. The US, on the brink of civil war, would then unite against the supposed alien invaders.

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Too late.


Sep 10, 2020, 9:51 AM

That's been tried already and the creature got elected in 2016.


HEYYYYYYYYY--OHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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You mean like a pandemic or something?***


Sep 10, 2020, 9:54 AM [ in reply to We need something dramatic to unite humanity. ]



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null


Needs to be aliens.***


Sep 10, 2020, 11:03 AM



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Cole @ Beach Cole w/ Clemson Hat


Specifically, extraterrestrial aliens.


Sep 10, 2020, 11:04 AM

Phew, that was a close one.

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Cole @ Beach Cole w/ Clemson Hat


Re: We need something dramatic to unite humanity.


Sep 10, 2020, 11:46 AM [ in reply to We need something dramatic to unite humanity. ]



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Re: We need something dramatic to unite humanity.


Sep 10, 2020, 3:08 PM [ in reply to We need something dramatic to unite humanity. ]

Seriously, hear me out.

Do you think Biden could make that happen? Do you think that the rioting and the divisiveness continues or stops. I honestly think it could stop. Maybe not for the right reasons, but I think it could stop.

I do not believe some Marxist system is upon us at all. I do not think you could get enough people in the Senate and House to go along some path that leads us to full on socialism or a Marxist type of government. There are just too many checks and balances in my mind.

I am still undecided. I do like Trump, but I am exhausted. If I KNEW Biden would stop all of this BS.....I would vote for him.

Murcielago®

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you hear the emotional people


Sep 10, 2020, 10:00 AM

and it is the minority

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Cat on a tin roof, dogs in a pile,
Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile!!!!


Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 10:04 AM

I will tell you what is wrong. People don't have God and Jesus in their life. The far left thinks it is a fairy tell. I guess some people are educated beyond their intelligence. The DNC left under God out of the pledge of allegiance. That is your answer. Good against evil just like the bible states.

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Maybe, but I think that's an easy out, and I


Sep 10, 2020, 10:09 AM

say that as a believer.

There are people for Trump because they think God sent him to battle evil, and people for Biden because Trump is the evil God warned us about.

Either way, those are still emotional stances.

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Re: Maybe, but I think that's an easy out, and I


Sep 10, 2020, 10:12 AM

Well you can twist what ever you want but not including under God in the pledge of allegiance leaves not doubt what side you are on in the battle of good vs evil.

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Two caucuses did at the convention, not the majority.


Sep 10, 2020, 10:14 AM

While I think that's pretty shameful, if you think all Dems are simply Godless heathens, you're sort of making my point here.

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You're not even factually correct.


Sep 10, 2020, 10:15 AM [ in reply to Re: Maybe, but I think that's an easy out, and I ]

All 4 nights of the DNC included "under God" in the pledge. And this one side good, other side evil view is entirely the emotional response that he is referring to, not to mention you're the one who is setting the standards over whose religious views are valid and whose are not.

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Re: You're not even factually correct.


Sep 10, 2020, 10:19 AM

Prove that please.

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It's been well proven as soon as the claims were made.


Sep 10, 2020, 10:25 AM

But I doubt you will accept anything anyone provides.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gv_CY51XBw

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Re: It's been well proven as soon as the claims were made.


Sep 10, 2020, 10:53 AM

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/democrats-under-god-pledge/

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Re: It's been well proven as soon as the claims were made.


Sep 10, 2020, 10:54 AM

It looks like we are both correct.

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"Mostly false" = we're both correct? Huh?***


Sep 10, 2020, 11:06 AM



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Yep. All one sides fault. Brilliant logic.***


Sep 10, 2020, 11:03 AM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]



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Hey, you know who else left God out of the


Sep 10, 2020, 12:34 PM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]

pledge of allegiance? Francis Bellamy, that is who.

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You are a prime example of what the OP is describing.***


Sep 10, 2020, 3:07 PM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]



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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 10:04 AM

most likely because of less fathers in the home, boys dont know how to be boys

no link

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 10:19 AM

I agree with that too. What the hell is toxic masculinity anyway.

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If you have to ask....***


Sep 11, 2020, 3:57 PM



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Perhaps that's only the results if it's a factor at all.


Sep 10, 2020, 1:51 PM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]

That isn't what's wrong with America.

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 10:06 AM

We (society) have set ourselves up where we can surround ourselves with opinions that only we like, and when someone penetrates our bubble with different views, we get hostile.

That, and this has been a very trying year emotionally on millions for a variety of reasons.

I don't know the answer to your last paragraph. Sometimes I think we can't go back.

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[Catahoula] used to be almost solely a PnR rascal, but now has adopted shidpoasting with a passion. -bengaline

You are the meme master. - RPMcMurphy®

Trump is not a phony. - RememberTheDanny


I think we need to get pretty lucky and find a leader(s)...


Sep 10, 2020, 11:03 AM

that can unite and lead us out of this path we're on. I'm not sure who that is or where they're going to come from. What I do know is that there are still a lot of "reasonable" people left that will respond to such a leader and that coupled with whatever "team" side this person comes up from could be enough to get them elected.

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It seems like it's been quite a while...


Sep 10, 2020, 11:23 AM

Since we had a presidential candidate who could truly lead.

Or, at least, one who can get past the primaries.

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

[Catahoula] used to be almost solely a PnR rascal, but now has adopted shidpoasting with a passion. -bengaline

You are the meme master. - RPMcMurphy®

Trump is not a phony. - RememberTheDanny


Haley / Scott '24


Sep 10, 2020, 2:54 PM

If Biden gets elected, there's no way, even if Kamala 25th amendments Biden to be president, that ticket gets a 2nd ride.

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Meh...


Sep 10, 2020, 3:13 PM

Still kind of want them to pay the price of following/enabling Trump. If they hadn't fallen all over themselves to prop him up, I would probably like that ticket.

2024 white level memberbadge-donor-05yr.jpg flag link military_tech thumb_downthumb_up

[Catahoula] used to be almost solely a PnR rascal, but now has adopted shidpoasting with a passion. -bengaline

You are the meme master. - RPMcMurphy®

Trump is not a phony. - RememberTheDanny


How long ago was Kamala calling Biden a racist?


Sep 11, 2020, 2:37 PM

Political expediency. I expect it from all politicians.

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 11:16 AM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]

Agree. The echo chamber effect.

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We are mostly impatient info sponges


Sep 10, 2020, 10:12 AM

I like the Star Trek analogy, we need more Spock for sure,

My analysis is that we have developed such a huge dependency on the dopamine hits, to the point that we have become totally addicted to our own confirmation biases. It requires a massive retooling to break the cycle.

At the same time, it is almost like we are under held hostage by the overwhelming amount of intentionally misleading data, and less obvious neural linguistic programming that is designed to manipulate.

The only way to fix it is to have a nationwide, year long abstinence campaign. Everyone turns their media off for a solid year. No tv. No Twitter. No Facebook. No Xbox. No Nintendo. No newspapers or magazines.

Ok, maybe let’s try a week first.

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Re: We are mostly impatient info sponges


Sep 10, 2020, 11:20 AM

Did the Klingons sit around and talk about (or maybe they did have social media in the future) how Earthlings were just stupid crazy, imperialist, thugs and liars? LOL

Why can't we tell the good guys from the bad guys any more?

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If you look at that question through Spock's eyes


Sep 10, 2020, 2:39 PM

he would say that there are neither good guys or bad guys. Only ones and zeros. Logic, right?

Unfortunately, the market knows that we will pay a lot more money for drama than we do for logic. So in a sense, we are what we eat.

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 10:21 AM

God has the answer to all your question. Just ask him.

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I asked him once...


Sep 11, 2020, 3:59 PM

He said he would get back to me. Still waiting.

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I think it's because a lot of people are willing to spend...


Sep 10, 2020, 11:00 AM

a good bit of their time and energy being offended and/or having very strong beliefs, but little-to-no time educating themselves on issues. They take their 10-sec snippet from their preferred single-source and they build a strongly held position on that.

Far too few actually use critical thinking skills and/or try to disprove or test their positions.

When that is coupled with a "Go Team" attitude we end up where we are now.

And the team aspect is strong in most. I'll admit it's strong in me. It has been very difficult for me to even contemplate not voting for a Republican for President. For all that I know and believe very strongly about Trump and his incompetence...I'm still not 100% sure I'm going to be able to "punch the ticket" for Biden.

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Re: I think it's because a lot of people are willing to spend...


Sep 10, 2020, 11:19 AM

I can only answer with, if you are a Christian how could you vote for his policies? Trump is no big Christian but maybe and just maybe God has place him where he did to save our country. I know in 2016 there were a lot of prayers for Trump to win and those prayers were answered but some times he answers your prayers in another way. I will be praying this time too and I hope other will do the same.

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I'm not going to tell another person how to pray,


Sep 10, 2020, 11:22 AM

but in my opinion, if you're praying for Trump to win, you're doing it wrong. IMHO, the prayer should be for God's will to be done, whether it's Trump, Biden, or an upset write-in campaign for Ryan Klesko.

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Wait...you pray for Trump to win...


Sep 10, 2020, 11:49 AM [ in reply to Re: I think it's because a lot of people are willing to spend... ]

I'm a Christian and would never pray for a political candidate to win. I would pray for wisdom to vote for the right person. I would pray for God's will to be done.

Plus...you don't think people were praying for Obama and for Clinton? If you think God chose Trump, then doesn't logic dictate that God chose Obama? Did you fully support Obama?

But you do you...I'm not going to tell you how to pray...it just strikes me as against all that I know and have been taught about prayer.

And the line about how could you not vote for Trump if you're a Christian is crazy talk to me. Trump is a liar and a charlatan, aside from his utter incompetence. If you're speaking to abortion, I'm staunchly pro-life, but I'm smart enough to know that Roe v Wade isn't going to be changed and definitely not by who is POTUS. Therefore, voting strictly on abortion makes no sense to me.

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Re: Wait...you pray for Trump to win...


Sep 10, 2020, 4:01 PM

I don't know what kind of Christian you are but late term abortion is murder plain and simple. You can say first term is what ever you like but if the child can live outside the mother womb its murder. I don't thank Jesus is in favor of murder. Plus my relationship with God is my own and you proved a point trying to tell me how to talk with God. I think that was why people came to America and its called religious freedom.

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What is your opinion on capital punishment?***


Sep 10, 2020, 4:17 PM



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Re: What is your opinion on capital punishment?***


Sep 10, 2020, 4:22 PM

That is a good question from the old testament and eye for an eye but Jesus turned the other cheek. I think it would stop a lot of murders if it was carried out right away kind of like Texas but faster.

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You're having a tough time sticking to the argument at...


Sep 10, 2020, 5:22 PM [ in reply to Re: Wait...you pray for Trump to win... ]

hand here.

I strongly disagree with late-term abortion....heck with any abortion. But the President, whoever it is, isn't going to change it. You do get that, right? We had Trump in the WH and republican control over both houses of Congress and a conservative leaning court. What changed? Seriously, what meaningful change happened?

To me, voting strictly on abortion while ignoring all else is really foolish and misguided.

Also, not to split hairs, but murder is defined as the unlawful and premeditated taking of a life. It doesn't make sense to argue that something is legal, and that should be illegal, by calling it "murder".

Also, I believe YOU were the one that questioned one's personal faith by who they voted for.

Also III, what point were you making about me that was proved by me commenting on you believing Trump was elected because people were praying for him to be?

Also IV, I didn't tell you how to pray...pretty sure I included a "you do you" in there. I just find it out that you're lecturing someone about being a Christian and you actively pray for your political will to be done and not God's. [and no that's not what people came to America, e.g. religious freedom...I didn't call you a heretic and call for your arrest]

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agree, but to take it a step further,


Sep 10, 2020, 11:20 AM [ in reply to I think it's because a lot of people are willing to spend... ]

That rolls downhill from people placing far too much value on how the world should prioritize their feelings, and that probably is highly social-media driven.

I may have 3 tweets in 5 years on Twitter, and that's because I know no one in the randomized general public gives (nor should give) a flying S about the minutiae in my life. Doesn't make me a better person than people who tweet every waking thought they have, but between them and me, I think I have a more accurate estimate of the street value of my thoughts.

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yep I agree with that***


Sep 10, 2020, 11:23 AM



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Our country needs us to stop straight ticket voting.


Sep 10, 2020, 12:31 PM [ in reply to I think it's because a lot of people are willing to spend... ]

Srsly, AL almost elected Roy friggin' Moore last time in a race that shouldn't have even been close.

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My suggestion a while back was to completely


Sep 10, 2020, 12:35 PM

remove party affiliation from the ballots.

At best people would actually have to educate themselves on the candidates in most of the races.

At worst we'd be getting idiots with really cool names.

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Greene fo senate.jpg***


Sep 10, 2020, 4:18 PM



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I'm probably giving too much credit to "people/humanity"....


Sep 10, 2020, 11:11 AM

but I honestly don't think the majority of people are "idiots" that you speak of. I think the far Left 5-10% & far Right 5-10% are highlighted and talked about because "IT'S NEWS"

I honestly think if we were not "hiding behind a keyboard" (not just on tnet, but everywhere) most all of us would have more in common than we realize. One, because I've seen it. I have, and most of you probably have extended family that are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT people on the internet/social media than they are at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas (left and right wingers both)...........not all, but most.

I know I'v carried great conversations with fans at clemson games that DO NOT share the same politics/views that I share, but that doesn't ruin a great time.........again, not all, but most.

I do strongly believe that social media was the main culprit for the "downfall" of society that you speak of. Just look at the riots or bullying or crimes........heck even a traffic stop there aren't people "helping" but there are plenty of phones in the air trying to catch the next "MOMENT".........it's disgusting..............that all being said I don't think it's the majority.

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 11:12 AM

Been this way for a long time. But I disagree that emotion rules on the conservative side.

Emotion is being in the streets, yelling and screaming, flipping off police in their face, lighting fires, breaking windows of stores for no reason. The YUGE majority of who you see doing this are libs.

Kathy Griffin with the bloody Trump head. Madonna "I want to blow up the white house." Jussie SmolletThe number of highly visible libs/progressives spouting emotional rants are 10x maybe 100x that of the right.

Emotion is what removes objectivity and reason.

In general, the libs are not objective and cannot reason as a group.

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We could argue all day about which "side" is


Sep 10, 2020, 11:16 AM

more emotion driven, and I have my thoughts on that and express it in other threads often, but both have too much of it.

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This is funny***


Sep 10, 2020, 4:12 PM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]



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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 11:31 AM

What would happen if we stop tolerating voices who divide the country into Us and Them? Doesn't matter whether those voices are "liberal" or "conservative" or "Republican" or "Democratic." The Us-vs.-Them is the mindset underlying the highly literate, educated idiots, and that's what we should be fighting against.

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that sounds good in theory & I agree in theory, but.....


Sep 10, 2020, 11:38 AM

that never has been and never will be a reality. That's pretty much the premise of an election of any kind. Telling you why this side is better than that side.

I have a better idea, we should all vote for who we want to vote for, for our own personal reasons, don't condemn others for who/why they voted for anybody and let the rest take care of itself........................that too sounds better in theory than reality.

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Re: that sounds good in theory & I agree in theory, but.....


Sep 10, 2020, 12:01 PM

I had that same thought--that the very idea of an election ends up being us-versus-them, especially when you add (a) political parties and (b) that we end up voting against someone rather than for someone. Part (b) is especially true for the last election and this one, but it's nothing new.

That said, can we vote without rooting for a winner like we're at a football game? Possibly.

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Maybe, but I think a better first step would be for


Sep 10, 2020, 11:49 AM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]

people to be able to provide 10 factual bullet points on why they vote for the side they do, and more importantly, 10 factual bullet points on why the other side votes the way they do.

Sides aren't a big deal when you can actually empathize with why others disagree with you. You get more Reagan/Tip and less Trump/Pelosi.

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problem with that is......


Sep 10, 2020, 12:52 PM

each side will contest whether the other side's facts are indeed facts. Now, you could give personal experience(s) as to why you're voting for one or the other.

examples:

-I feel Candidate "X" is going to/has done/pushing for "Y" which does "Z" for the betterment of me/my family/others/etc.....

-I feel candidate "X"'s stance on "Y" gives me a better "Z" to progress my "C"

I'm of the "you do you and I do me mentality"

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It would be just another 'us,' vs 'them.'


Sep 10, 2020, 1:59 PM [ in reply to Re: Basic observation about peoples today...... ]

There's already a massive group like that. They go about their lives and play the cards they are deal while keeping their heads down and striving for life.

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It would be logical if people upgraded to dilithium crystals


Sep 10, 2020, 11:36 AM

Far too many are stuck on using antiquated lithium crystals.

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Nice assessment... The close was especially pertinent.***


Sep 10, 2020, 12:37 PM



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Perhaps we can all read - but I've maintained that the


Sep 10, 2020, 1:01 PM

average US American is a moron. So basically I think you're giving us too much credit.

Everything people know (or think they know) is gleaned from mindlessly scrolling through FaceGram and/or InstaTOK.

That, along with the media deciding to chose sides, conspired to doom us all.

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 1:40 PM

Are you aware that there are people in this world that have a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way? My mother for instance is one of those people. She is a truck driver that has bad knees and a bad back from driving the truck but you probably do not care about that case either. Oh well I am not one of those people I am 6'4" 245lbs and I exercise every day. I would love to see you say something like to my mother in front of me. Probably never happen though you are probably just an internet tough guy. I doubt very seriously you would say that to someones face. Just my thought.What do you think. Oh I am sorry you probably do not have a brain. I on the other hand will be happy to buy you a plane ticket to come here and see if you have the nerve to say that to someone I know.

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Re: Basic observation about peoples today......


Sep 10, 2020, 3:10 PM

Our politics are obliteration-type because they're binary. That only works if you've got a Coke-or-Pepsi style winner-take-all electoral system.

You want to change that instantly, doing so is easy. It's called ranked choice voting. Voters rank their choices in order...the effect goes well beyond putting more names on the ballot. It means you have to start thinking about your second, third, even your fourth choices and forces people to consider what they like about each individual candidate as opposed to what they fear about them. Polarizing populists get eaten alive in this system because somebody like Trump might rouse the passions of a minority but would be ranked dead last by most and that's the end of that candidate, while folks who appeal to a broader range do far better.

People settle down when a majority wind up with somebody they can actually live with.

Another tweak that would help is a warning label on our news consumption. Any broadcast over a certain number of views, by law, should require a rating, a watermark that's placed on some corner of the screen for the duration of the broadcast. This watermark would contain the show's bias rating and direction, whether the show was an opinion show or straight reporting, and the number of failed fact checks by this source. Cable news fare would take an initial and immediate pounding on the ratings and I think you'd see a sudden and immediate run by all hands back to the center, with far fewer leading headlines, editorializing, and outright propaganda. A lot of the more extreme propagandists - on both sides - would likely not be able to make the transition and I think their ratings would fall off a cliff as a result. Can Rachel Maddow even do straight reporting anymore? Has Sean Hannity ever done actual reporting?

If we want to seriously talk about the issues, all we really have to do is eliminate the conditions that are causing us to act viscerally as opposed to rationally. There are solutions.

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I think people are the same today as in the past, but...


Sep 10, 2020, 3:51 PM

the creation of "bubbles" is what makes the modern world different. With social media and the polarization of the media, we now have access to all narratives at all times and everyone's voice is equal. We can surround ourselves in whatever narrative it is we believe and reinforce it with endless amounts of "facts" that reinforce that reality. And much like if someone told you that you were crazy and the reality you think exists doesn't, people get emotionally upset when there is an attempt at bursting their bubble.

But in terms of the emotionality of people today versus the past, I think we are very much still the emotional beings we've always been. Politics (especially campaigns) were always an emotional led endeavor that rarely was based on the substance of policy. Mudslinging and yellow journalism have been around basically as long as we've existed as a country and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

What I always find interesting is the "switch" that politics causes in people's brains. You can be having a pleasant conversation with someone and they seem like a normal and emotionally stable individual and then you start talking politics and suddenly that switch is flipped and their entire personality seems to change. That's always been weird to me. It's that tribalism that people talk about that also present in sports fandom but it's just bizarre to observe.

Overall, I think I agree with you except to say that I think the "well-educated idiot" take only really applies to politics. The lizard brain emotional appeal politics has on us seems to supersede our critical thinking abilities and makes us susceptible to false narratives that appeal to our biases. I'd argue this has always been true, but now it's easier to be able to create our own narrative reality around our biases through social media and partisan news networks.

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Re: I think people are the same today as in the past, but...


Sep 10, 2020, 4:10 PM

The thought I had about the "tribalism" switch is that some people seem more intrinsically tribal than others.

I am not a tribal person. At all. I've always drifted in and out of groups, talking to everybody, liking most, but never really belonging - or wanting to belong - anywhere. I like my freedom and too many people from too many different groups interest me for me to want a single "tribe". I don't know if I'm just wired that way or if it's because my family was, uhm, not exactly nurturing, but whatever that impulse towards tribalism that some people have, I've just never had much of it.

I've wondered if it's a bit like the "domesticity" instinct in animals. I found myself really fascinated by this video they made on these actual domestic foxes they bred, mostly because it clearly showed the distinction between a wild animal and a domestic one and how the sliding scale works in actual practice...and how that trait is actually genetic. Could tribal instinct in humans be the same?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dwjS_eI-lQ

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Re: I think people are the same today as in the past, but...


Sep 10, 2020, 4:17 PM

Try talking with God. He has all the answers. That is why I love Dabo. He puts God first and everything else second. Believe me I have not always been a good Christian but I have found my way back, you should give it a try.

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Re: I think people are the same today as in the past, but...


Sep 10, 2020, 7:14 PM [ in reply to Re: I think people are the same today as in the past, but... ]

Interesting video!
Thanks for posting

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By and large, people haven't changed.


Sep 11, 2020, 4:19 PM

There has always been a certain number of people that tend to be more emotionally driven. With social media exploding, especially Twitter, these people have more outlets to display their emotions to a large audience. Introverted people that would normally be too shy to express their thoughts are suddenly able to do so anonymously.
Cancel culture is effective because it makes it appear as if a majority of people are highly upset over something, when in fact it is a small but very vocal minority, often further amplified by more mainstream media outlets.
So I don't think more people have thrown out reason for emotion, it's just that the emotionally driven have a bigger platform, and, unfortunately, more often than not they are the ones steering the ship.

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