Politics and Society: What is "Better," Anyway?
I observe these various "debates" and discussions — in person, and on web forums and beyond — between people who are making their cases that Europe, or the USA, or sometimes part of Asia are somehow "better" places to live.
In many cases, perfectly valid points are made.
But ultimately? These end up being little more than circular mind exercises that determine very little.
EXCEPT, of course, point to the deeper truth that any discussion about whether something is "better" or not hinges on the perception of the individual having the discussion.
Individual Likes and Preferences
So I consider what our "Point of Origin" is, when we discuss such things as "better." Followed by what our priorities are, in life.
For example, I might be able to totally recognize the freedom and lower cost of living that is associated with some nations in South East Asia, but I am not going to ever live there, because I simply loathe hot humid weather, and I am not going to subject myself to feeling physically miserable every day of my life.
A lot of the "better" also is impossible to nail down because simple facts tend to stand apart from people's values.
Certain European nations may have (simply as a "fact") better social safety nets for their citizens, but that really only matters if that attribute also is consistent with your own value set.
Monochromatic Beach
What MATTERS to you?
Your freedom? Your rights? Your money? Yourself? Your family? Society? Service to others? Being left alone? Government support? NO government? Medical services? Low taxes?
Without answering those personal questions — and many others — to provide a sort of "contextual container" the entire "What is BETTER" discussion becomes little more than an ongoing argument with a high potential for angry mud slinging to ensue.
Which is why I tend to avoid such debates, altogether.
Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for this platform.)
Created at 190718 10:05 PDT
1064
There is one thing I’ve learned over the years. We all have our own political views and they all suck! Far too many just go crazy and start attacking people they would otherwise get along quite well with over something that ends up not mattering much.
As far as freedoms I want enough to not feel like I’m in a cage as I go about my day to day life. Less government I tend to find is better. Some is still needed despite not liking everything that comes of it. Otherwise people go around all crazy even more so than they already are.
The thing that matter to me is the non-aggression principle. It is only an ideal, but I believe in complete liberty. So long as it is voluntary and isn't harmful or fraudulent to another person, then it is fine with me.
I don't believe such a place exists, but it is my mission to get as close as possible.
Freedom is the main argument, but I have seen many liberties violated in the name of freedom. Like you, I could not live in an Asian country, I would not only be disturbed by the humidity and the big difference between culture and lifestyle and perhaps the impossibility of integrating me. That's why I prefer to live in a country where I was born although the problems are major and an uncertain future.
There are many things that are important to me and I try to live my life in a way that shows what is most important to me, Until Trump came along, I never had any political conversations, but now I can’t sit in silence when we have a slime ball pretending one our President! 😉
Right on. Lot of these types of discussions are based on a persons values, ways or being, and general temperament, which in many cases is rather forged in the mind and hard to change.
I think engaging these certain questions or types of topics with people that you know share a similar understanding is more effective. It's often the case that others may yearn for similar things and are like-minded, though they just some support and direction.
Preach!
I participate in lots of political discussions, and the biggest difference between an in-person conversation versus one on, say, Twitter is that people on the Internet are quick to retreat to talking points without really answering any questions or even directly participating in the conversation.
Even in person, too many people these days are quick to shout someone down, but if that person calmly engages them and asks them to explain their point of view, they clam up. I saw this happen at a Deerhunter concert a couple days ago: someone in the audience yelled "🤬 you!" so the singer came down off the stage and attempted to understand where their anger was coming from, but all the person could say was "You have to do your own research." ("Research on what?" is the question to which the band never received an answer.)
As an "anti-partisan" Independent, I've recently made a point of trying to define what "my platform" is, spending a fair amount of time answering the types of questions you've posed. I think if all Americans were to think through what is truly important to them, we would all find that we have far more in common than our current, divided political environment would have it appear.
Posted using Partiko iOS