Battle of Beliefs - Slander, Silencing, Diminishing
Greetings Steemians,
Perspective can sometimes manifest within a narrow field of vision, that is; how one might adhere to certain beliefs or concepts might become a bit skewed by his or her own personal experiences.
I notice more and more in the world, debate turning into this ugly scene of slander, silencing, and diminishing.
Pixabay
I enjoy debate, friendly debate, and debate can take on a negative vibe at times, where opinions flare and the general stage get's a little uncomfortable. We are of course creatures of habit, and neuroplastic in our thinking.
I do draw certain lines. When a person I'm debating with resorts to slander, silencing, or diminishing.
"When debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser". -Socrates
I find there to be a great deal of truth in this quote. Oftentimes when a person resorts to slander, silencing, or diminishing, it's because they have run out of "arguments" and feel aggression is their only tool left to protect their belief.
I enjoy thought challenging. I don't like to subscribe to concrete beliefs, because I've noticed that many who do, become hostile individuals when challenged, and if you cast your beliefs in concrete, how then will you grow and learn new concepts and ideas?
Sometimes I think it's good to really listen to what a person has to say. It reminds of a post I read recently by @raymondspeaks titled In A World That Encourages You To Share Your Thoughts — Shut Up and Listen. This is pretty deep, and he makes some really great points that I personally agree with. I recommend checking it out!
I like to say:
Everyone wants to be heard, but no one wants to listen.
This seems very true to me, and I know for a fact that some people do indeed listen well and enjoy listening to others, because I'm one of them but I'm not so sure this is the collective majority.
I've done some cognitive processing therapy in the past, and we did this exercise called "challenging beliefs", in which we took a look at certain concrete beliefs that we had, calculated some statistics and odds, and reassessed the likeliness of these beliefs. In some aspects the exercises didn't work out too good for me, but it gave me some perspective to consider.
When I think about what I believe, I like to consider where I came up with the belief to begin with.
- Was it produced from my own creative thought processes?
- Was it something I learned in elementary school?
- Did I see it on CNN?
NO WAY I DON'T WATCH PUPPET SHOWS
Perhaps you the reader sees what I'm getting at here. So many people have political "ideas" and "beliefs" and please, for one moment consider the source. They don't call public broadcasts "paid programming" for nothing!
I think much of it is just human nature. We're a tribal species and I think many will agree when I say, innovative thinkers are not the majority.
The polarization's I see in the world ranging from politics, to science, to religion, ect, serve no better purpose than to keep us divided. (in my opinion) Hate is a powerful emotion, and is very negative. I try not to hate anyone. There are plenty of people who've hurt me in the past, but I take a sympathetic perspective, because much of what our perception amalgamates to is a projection of sorts, and sometimes feeling hurt by someone is nothing to do with the person who hurt us at all, but rather an internal perception, which we ourselves are the controllers of, no one else.
So what is the point of this article?
Well, I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to getting involved with certain debates and topics, and my reaction to slander, silencing, and diminishing is not positive. (at least not internally) When a person becomes aggressive in a debate in these manners, I tell them we are done.. Plain and simple, but not so simple for my processing.
I'm left feeling abused and upset, and can't seem to fathom why a person cannot have their beliefs challenged a single bit without resorting to hostility.
I really don't have an issue with having my beliefs challenged, and hey.. it's not easy to sway futuremind's beliefs, because I think quite a bit, and consider variables, so generally I have what I consider to be pretty decent arguments for certain topics, but when I get challenged and realize the other person has a sound point which deconstructs and crushes my logic, I admit they are right from my vantage point, and leave the debate feeling like I learned something new!
Why are some unable to do this? Well, perhaps it's an inability to think for themselves, piggyback spoonfed bandwagon ideology seekers. I don't know, but it does become mentally taxing when people are so abusive in debate. I myself never claim to be perfect, and sometimes I do leave debates feeling like maybe I went a little too far with my opinions, and that perhaps I was pushing the boundaries of respectful debate, but I always try to maintain respect for the opinion of others.
That's pretty much it for my thoughts here. I like to question virtually everything that I know and believe, and I think everyone should. I propose that you should always consider the source of your beliefs, and ask yourself:
Is this my belief, or is it someone else's?
Thank you for stopping by, I hope you're all having a wonderful day!
Much love,
@futuremind
Posted with eSteem Surfer
In response to the comment you left on my most recent post, I have come to check out your profile a bit @futuremind. Looking through your work, the title of this post stood out to me, so ... Here I am commenting.
In my post, I said this:
It appears we may be somewhat "kindred spirits" of sorts, although I do not "know" (interesting concept in and of itself in a "virtual world" context) you from any other interaction. Just letting you know, on the strength of what you have to say in this post, I am now following ... 👍
Both here and on Hive (although it appears you are not active there) ... 🙂
It certainly feels like we are kindred spirits, and I have hit my head a few times in this life, but I do not remember any times where my intuition was wrong ;)
Well, I had my first out of body experience with someone I met online, through an audio call, and have also developed some very close relationships mostly text based. I do feel inflection is easily confused in text, but I also feel there are energetic pulls that bring us together, regardless of the medium, so to speak.
Because of all the political stuff, I'm not on Hive currently. I may be in the future, right now I am not sure.
Thank you for taking the time to inspect my work, read and comment. I'm aware of how much time this takes, and I'm humbly thankful and grateful to have made this connection with you! :)
"Back in" for a bit @futuremind, this was a very kind reply. I smiled here ...
... as it reminds me of an old saying (different variations of it exist) - "I may be wrong, but I am never in doubt!" For the most part, I would have to plead "guilty" to this description ... 😉
Interesting perspective on "virtual" relationships. In my early writing (and some since), I noted I was initially an investor only having long ago determined I would never have any sort of an online presence. From my perceptions of your age, I am ~ a generation older than you and I fundamentally don't trust the "virtual world." As I have said more than once to family and friends:
That said, I surprised myself by deciding one fateful day, to "jump in" to engaging here on these blockchains. On the basis of the experience providing some more "due diligence" to better understand the "user case" for my investment and whether I should continue to be a HODLer. And here I am. About to complete my 2nd year ...
By nature, if I am going to do something, I am typically "all in." So ... I either make no comment at all or "make it count." In my view, it adds value to the work of others. And that is why I am here. To do my small part to increase the value of the tokens undergirding these blockchains. Sadly, with the EIP changes of HF
21/ 22, commenting dropped off considerably. The "oligarchy" decided it was beneficial and, for the most part, still defend it ...I too am thankful for the opportunity to have had this engagement with you. I look forward to future "rounds!" 🙂 👍 In the meantime, if you have the time to provide me a link to anything you have written ...
... about this decision, I would welcome the opportunity to read and get your thoughts on what we've all be through over the last 3 months.
P.S. I am a part-time engager on these blockchains, so patience at times is needed, if waiting for a response ... 🙂
Hi @roleerob,
Thank you kindly for the response.
I'm 34, maybe you are :)
I've struggled with it on and off, in terms of my level of "trust." Even video chats with people I've never met before in real life. I start tripping out a little and wondering if I'm actually talking to an advanced AI. It sounds a little nuts, but I remember the "old life" so to speak, and how vastly different thing are. I think I very much understand what you mean my friend.
There is something unique about this place. I've met a ton of INFJ's (I'm one as well) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers%E2%80%93Briggs_Type_Indicator (personality types if you are not familiar, INFJ is the rarest in the world.)
I appreciate this perspective. I tend to write simple responses to simple comments, and sometimes I comment small comments. It depends on my mood I guess, I do like the more engaging comments for sure!
Unfortunately in terms of adding value, I think the hardest part is definitely adoption, but I have not given up hope that we might see our day here. Given the current world circumstances, and many people starting to realize things, I would not be surprised to see an influx of new accounts.
Another note on adding value. I think some of the simplified apps like appix are a great idea for adoption. Although people like us enjoy the intricacies, the majority of people don't seem to. At least for social media.
Likewise! I have been planning to go through my posts actually and compile some relevant literature to what is going on. One is a short story, with a philosophical undertone regarding money.
Subliminals are interesting. I wonder how much subliminal programming can be attributed to our current world state?
I think I'll end it there. :)
Thanks again for the conversation!
"In here" briefly, this morning @futuremind, I cannot do justice, in the time I have, to all you have written, but wanted to respond. Yes, my friend ...
... I am old enough to be your father, as I have 3 children older than that. I prefer "older brother" ...😉
Interesting you mention the Myers Briggs types, as I was "subjected" to that more than once in my career. I am an INTJ. Seems once I was told they are the rarest, but I have frankly never looked into it that much.
A quick glance at your supplied link and I see the reference to intuition, to which you alluded earlier. The word I would use for myself is discerning. A highly respected colleague of mine referred to me as astute. What I know about myself is I too often seem to "see" what others either don't or are unwilling to acknowledge. Worse, I have no problem with "talking straight" to "shine the light" on what many would avoid, due to their conflict aversion, amongst their other personality traits ...
One is no better or worse than another. Simply different. How boring would the world be if we were all the same? 🙂
As for your reference to AI and (my assumption of the link ...) what is already possible with creations of "virtual reality," let alone the future, is very sobering. On the subliminals link, I will have to look into that more, as time permits.
Remain well and have a great day!
P.S. I do not know if you are ever in Discord, but my account in there is @roleerob#3299. There is a definite boundary I will not cross in having more personal information "immutably enshrined" on these blockchains ...
Myers–Briggs Type Indicator
The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an introspective self-report questionnaire indicating differing psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.The original versions of the MBTI were constructed by two Americans, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. The MBTI is based on the conceptual theory proposed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who had speculated that people experience the world using four principal psychological functions – sensation, intuition, feeling, and thinking – and that one of these four functions is dominant for a person most of the time. The four categories are Introversion/Extraversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, Judging/Perception. Each person is said to have one preferred quality from each category, producing 16 unique types.
Well aren't you a useful bot! :) Pretty cool.
Hey my man! I loved reading this post. You're definitely a good writer.
Okay, some initial thoughts from me. Consider this quote from Socrates (my favourite quote) -- "I am the wisest man alive, for that I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing"
I love that quote because the more I learn the more I realise I don't know shit. Haha.
Sit back, listen always, don't say much. Only to ask questions :) - you cannot debate with those that have the inability to properly debate.
The internet has done a lot of good, but it's also done a lot of bad -- in one sense it has spawned an army of people that think they're the best at debating but in reality they are shit at it. All they do is scream very loud, and if they can, silence you -- in their mind that is how to debate. You can't win against that. You just can't.
I was in this position myself at least two years ago when my entire niche went all white privilege and oppressed on me, to which I hardcore disagree with.
But I've had to practise restraint. There's no way I can argue with indoctrination -- so now I'm like okay man, you do you, awesome!
So I think your next self-development route will be restraint. And I'll admit it's the hardest thing I've had to learn. Because the internet encourages us to just say anything.
I can do restraint in real life easily. But over the internet, sometimes I bite my tongue soooo hard. lol
Something to think about.
You can't argue with stupid
And practise restraint.
Posted via neoxian.city | The City of Neoxian
@raymondspeaks you have received
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Honestly I do not like debate.
But I want to share my views about what I've seen so far. I think the globally polarized constituency has taken up a lot of my mental bandwidth today. Everywhere I turn, there is a socio-economic battle, in which participants use the word civility as a weapon, practice demonization, and act in an inhuman manner so that the common people become victims. It is regrettable for the users of social media who provide illogical reporting. In other words the spectacle of terrible behavior, everything is bent into justification, and on the contrary the truth has been silenced in the deepest depths.
Thank for this My friend
Thank you for your thoughtful comment my friend.
For not liking debate, you are very well versed in the language of debate it seems, or maybe you are a philosophical thinker? You are definitely a thinker I think :)
I also see this polarization and socio-economic battle, and it does seem rather useless and non-productive to me.
It becomes this "I'm right and your wrong mindset." In the end I don't see how it leads to being productive to go into any kind of a debate with an intent to just be "right."
There's all kinds of demonization yes, seems people will use any excuse to claim they are better than someone else because of an idea. Social class, race, religion, ect, and in the end it just doesn't serve any purpose and is narrow thinking in my opinion.
This is why I encourage people to question their own beliefs. For some, it might be enlightening to realize that ideas they are supporting are not even their own ideas. This is pretty powerful. People rarely question where their beliefs come from.
Thank you so much @wira8788
!ENGAGE 50
100% this.
We can't demonize the demonizers.
We can't be inhumane to the inhuman.
We can't abandon civility because some have tried to twist its meaning.
Every fiat dollar you spend on corporate poison propels corruption.
Consider buying books from writers (self-publishers).
Consider buying art from artists.
Consider watching shows made by individuals.
If you dine out, consider patronizing a sole-proprietorship (family owned restaurant).
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Hi Jacob, How are u doing? I hope that you are healthy and have a beautiful day. I don't like debate because debate will trigger my emotions. I don't like emotional situations because that will make a face grow old quickly. I want to be happy. Have a nice day, Sir.
Hi @elianaelisma,
I'm well and hope you are also well.
I agree, debate can be tiresome and trigger emotions. Not engaging in debate, this must be your secret to staying so happy and beautiful :)
Have a nice day miss.
!ENGAGE 25
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Stephen Covey suggests...First listen to understand and only then, speak to be understood.
Great post and best wishes :-)
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This is great advice indeed! Always good to absorb what a person is saying and try to see things from there perspective. Perhaps this is the difference between being perceptive, or just flat out stubborn and not willing to learn new things.
Thank you for your kind words :)
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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