NationStates Jolt Archive

One thing I've noticed on here, particularly among the younger posters, is a tendency to want everything coached in terms of "black or white, either or." Too many seem to be absolutists: everything must agree, there can be no dissonance, no discontinuity, no compromise.

Take this to the bank: in life there will be discontinuity, differences between what we profess to believe and how we act, even inconsistency within our belief systems. It's well said that, "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Life isn't "consistent." Things are only very rarely either "black or white." They're usually various shades of gray.

Politics is humanity's way of dealing with inconsistency. The art of compromise usually leaves all parties feuding over an issue somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome. When you take an asbolutist position on an issue ( or indeed, an entire value system ) you are always going to be very disappointed when the compromise doesn't match your expectations.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.

"You're with us, or you're against us".

I think some more people need your wisdom, Eutrusca.

"You're with us, or you're against us".

I think some more people need your wisdom, Eutrusca.
And you never miss a chance to take a dig at the US, do ya? Tsk! :)

One thing I've noticed on here, particularly among the younger posters, is a tendency to want everything coached in terms of "black or white, either or." Too many seem to be absolutists: everything must agree, there can be no dissonance, no discontinuity, no compromise.

Take this to the bank: in life there will be discontinuity, differences between what we profess to believe and how we act, even inconsistency within our belief systems. It's well said that, "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Life isn't "consistent." Things are only very rarely either "black or white." They're usually various shades of gray.

Politics is humanity's way of dealing with inconsistency. The art of compromise usually leaves all parties feuding over an issue somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome. When you take an asbolutist position on an issue ( or indeed, an entire value system ) you are always going to be very disappointed when the compromise doesn't match your expectations.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.true... it's the little inconsistancies (as well as the big ones) that keep us on our toes.

and as for the mass exodus when GW Bush got re-elected??? I'm STILL WAITING for those Hollywood big mouths to leave after the 2000 election... Note, mostly all of them are still here and still US citizens... :D

Reminds me of a story I once heard:

Two boys were arguing violently one day in a classroom. The teacher pulled both of them aside and sat both of them on opposite sides of her desk. There was a miniature statue on the center of the desk. She asked both students what color the statue was.

The boy on the left said it was white while the other said it was black. They start arguing and fighting again over whether it was white or black.

The teacher halted the fighting and made them switch sides. They then realized that the statue was white on one side and black on the other.

Before jumping to conclusions, one must strive to see the dilemma from the opposite point of view.

true... it's the little inconsistancies (as well as the big ones) that keep us on our toes.

and as for the mass exodus when GW Bush got re-elected??? I'm STILL WAITING for those Hollywood big mouths to leave after the 2000 election... Note, mostly all of them are still here and still US citizens... :D
Heh! I was actually hoping that many of the Hollyweird crowd would leave as they threatened to do. But then that would actually inconvenience the "Hollyweird Elite," and we can't have that, now can we? :D

Reminds me of a story I once heard:

Two boys were arguing violently one day in a classroom. The teacher pulled both of them aside and sat both of them on opposite sides of her desk. There was a miniature statue on the center of the desk. She asked both students what color the statue was.

The boy on the left said it was white while the other said it was black. They start arguing and fighting again over whether it was white or black.

The teacher halted the fighting and made them switch sides. They then realized that the statue was white on one side and black on the other.

Before jumping to conclusions, one must strive to see the dilemma from the opposite point of view.
True. There are some few things which are beyond understanding and compromise, but those are very, very few.

One thing I've noticed on here, particularly among the younger posters, is a tendency to want everything coached in terms of "black or white, either or." Too many seem to be absolutists: everything must agree, there can be no dissonance, no discontinuity, no compromise.

Take this to the bank: in life there will be discontinuity, differences between what we profess to believe and how we act, even inconsistency within our belief systems. It's well said that, "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Life isn't "consistent." Things are only very rarely either "black or white." They're usually various shades of gray.

Politics is humanity's way of dealing with inconsistency. The art of compromise usually leaves all parties feuding over an issue somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome. When you take an asbolutist position on an issue ( or indeed, an entire value system ) you are always going to be very disappointed when the compromise doesn't match your expectations.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.
to be honest, i'm probably as guilty of such small-mindedness as many others :(
i take my existing viewpoint and debate it with myself, reaching my own conclusion and standpoint. thats not too small minded, but then i tend to stick by my viewpoint pretty doggedly. i dunno if i'm guilty of this black-and-white attitude or not (i will leave the country if the Tories get back into power again, but then i plan to leave anyway), and frankly i'm not sure of anything anymore :(

One thing I've noticed on here, particularly among the younger posters, is a tendency to want everything coached in terms of "black or white, either or." Too many seem to be absolutists: everything must agree, there can be no dissonance, no discontinuity, no compromise.

Take this to the bank: in life there will be discontinuity, differences between what we profess to believe and how we act, even inconsistency within our belief systems. It's well said that, "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Life isn't "consistent." Things are only very rarely either "black or white." They're usually various shades of gray.

Politics is humanity's way of dealing with inconsistency. The art of compromise usually leaves all parties feuding over an issue somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome. When you take an asbolutist position on an issue ( or indeed, an entire value system ) you are always going to be very disappointed when the compromise doesn't match your expectations.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.

Good point. As much as I'd love to lead a worldwide utopian revolution and lead humanity into the days of glory...I know that not everyone would go along with that. :P

In all seriousness though, life itself is about compromise. Getting the most from what you can, and attempting to make everyone happy; finding a nice, comfy gray area.

to be honest, i'm probably as guilty of such small-mindedness as many others :(
i take my existing viewpoint and debate it with myself, reaching my own conclusion and standpoint. thats not too small minded, but then i tend to stick by my viewpoint pretty doggedly. i dunno if i'm guilty of this black-and-white attitude or not (i will leave the country if the Tories get back into power again, but then i plan to leave anyway), and frankly i'm not sure of anything anymore :(
You are not far from true wisdom, Grasshopper! :D

You are not far from true wisdom, Grasshopper! :D
:confused: now i'm really confused, but thanks :D

:confused: now i'm really confused, but thanks :D
Confusion over absolutes is just one step away from the true humility which comes from realizing that you don't know everything. Humility is the first step on the road to wisdom. :)

Better? :)

One thing I've noticed on here, particularly among the younger posters, is a tendency to want everything coached in terms of "black or white, either or." Too many seem to be absolutists: everything must agree, there can be no dissonance, no discontinuity, no compromise.

Take this to the bank: in life there will be discontinuity, differences between what we profess to believe and how we act, even inconsistency within our belief systems. It's well said that, "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Life isn't "consistent." Things are only very rarely either "black or white." They're usually various shades of gray.

Politics is humanity's way of dealing with inconsistency. The art of compromise usually leaves all parties feuding over an issue somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome. When you take an asbolutist position on an issue ( or indeed, an entire value system ) you are always going to be very disappointed when the compromise doesn't match your expectations.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.

That is very true and I am appalled at those who threatened to leave the country (espescialy those in Hollywood with the whole world licening to them, thats way out of line), but I have to think that if the loser canadate had won that some of the other side would do the same. There will always be wackos, espesialy when something like the election stirs up so much feeling and hatered on both sides like the past one did. I just hope wackos on both sides do not let anger ruin the political process. :(

Confusion over absolutes is just one step away from the true humility which comes from realizing that you don't know everything. Humility is the first step on the road to wisdom. :)

Better? :)
much better :)

...realizing that you don't know everything

well, for a start there's no way i think that! all i have are my opinions, neither right nor wrong. but then i do stick to them in a pretty black-and-white manner...

*stops posting about himself*

Wow, Eutrusca...what a 'feel-good' thread.


*yawns*


Still doesn't answer the question of that political descriptor in your sig, however...

And you never miss a chance to take a dig at the US, do ya? Tsk! :)

At Dubya, Eutrusca, at Dubya!

I like the US. Honest! Just not its foreign policy or its government... but, I can like you! *cheeses out*

I will enter into a discussion with an open mind, I will try to understand the thinking of the other side, and I will change my opinion if convinced I was wrong. I will not, however, compromise on my values or beliefs.

And democracy is a system that is designed to have progress even when people don't compromise.

Take this to the bank: in life there will be discontinuity, differences between what we profess to believe and how we act, even inconsistency within our belief systems. It's well said that, "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

I have to disagree here. The lack of absolutes does not make things inconsistent, it simply means that one must look at all variables to come up with the answer.

Politics is humanity's way of dealing with inconsistency. The art of compromise usually leaves all parties feuding over an issue somewhat dissatisfied with the outcome. When you take an asbolutist position on an issue ( or indeed, an entire value system ) you are always going to be very disappointed when the compromise doesn't match your expectations.

Of course, the politics in this country thrives on that "us v. them", "black v. white" idea - they cultivate it in the voters in order to try and gain more power.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.

To be fair, the candidate who won sees everything as black and white and has even stated that, regardless of the fact that he was not overwhelmingly elected, the American people "clearly" want every single part of his policy.

I was rather alarmed after the last US election when some of those backing the losing candidate threatened to leave the Country. Not only is that childish and mean-spirited, it flies in the face of the very essence of democracy: the art of compromise.
I agree, but those people were a tiny minority.

And you never miss a chance to take a dig at the US, do ya? Tsk! :)
By your logic the statement about Democrats leaving the country [quoted above] could be taken as "anti-American".


PS.. does anyone else think it funny that this thread was started by a supporter of a politician who says "you're either with us or with the terrorists"? Way to "nuance" in "shades of grey", Bush. :rolleyes: