Read on Twitter
This will ruffle some feathers but ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
There's a disastrous anti-intellectual, anti-science, anti-education, anti-curiosity problem in the United States and it'll be our demise if we let it.
I'm not sure where or how it happened, but I've got some theories. (Long thread)
There's a disastrous anti-intellectual, anti-science, anti-education, anti-curiosity problem in the United States and it'll be our demise if we let it.
I'm not sure where or how it happened, but I've got some theories. (Long thread)
We've all seen magnificent speeches from leaders of the past, watched the country band together in awe at the moon landing, talk of the future, the American dream...
Yet, now, roughly half of the country denies science, spews hatred towards "the elite" and has regressed into such deep tribalism that they might as well be their own separate country.
Perhaps it's because we've been told that we're "the greatest" for so long.
Perhaps it's because we've been told that we're "the greatest" for so long.
This is, of course, arrogant and hardly supported by evidence. But, we're fed the "greatest country in the world" narrative which gives many a superiority complex when they don't experience other cultures or parts of the world.
Why would you be curious, or want to explore?
Why would you be curious, or want to explore?
You're already in the best place ever...right?
Therein lies the problem. Lack of exposure to other cultures, art, history, races, sexual orientations, viewpoints, perspectives...
It's all closed off and shut out because it threatens your identity of being the best.
Therein lies the problem. Lack of exposure to other cultures, art, history, races, sexual orientations, viewpoints, perspectives...
It's all closed off and shut out because it threatens your identity of being the best.
What if someone's way of life is actually happier, or more peaceful, or more productive? What if everything you've been told is a lie?
Nobody wants to face that. So, they fight against it.
They fight against everyone who represents it.
Nobody wants to face that. So, they fight against it.
They fight against everyone who represents it.
They reject diversity and subsequently reject all of the magic it can bring to our lives.
I've watched my own views and opinions change over time as I became more exposed to the world and the people in it. The more I'd travel and read, the more open and liberal I became.
I've watched my own views and opinions change over time as I became more exposed to the world and the people in it. The more I'd travel and read, the more open and liberal I became.
Guess what: Evidence and data supports that this is the case on a sweeping scale. But, that will make certain people mad, because of the exact reasons we are discussing here.
Reality and evidence challenges your worldview. Therefore, the evidence must be "fake" or wrong.
Reality and evidence challenges your worldview. Therefore, the evidence must be "fake" or wrong.
This, of course, is backed up by no evidence of its own.
Simply a delusion of superiority.
What a world we could live in if we were more curious and outward looking. Open, accepting, full of wonder about our fellow humans.
Simply a delusion of superiority.
What a world we could live in if we were more curious and outward looking. Open, accepting, full of wonder about our fellow humans.
Just imagine what we could discover and accomplish if we worked together instead of destroying each other.
This, though, would require acceptance that some of ideas are wrong.
We must be willing to learn from others just as we must be willing to teach them.
It is a dance.
This, though, would require acceptance that some of ideas are wrong.
We must be willing to learn from others just as we must be willing to teach them.
It is a dance.
Balance is required.
But balance cannot be achieved when we approach the conversation already believing we have nothing more to learn.
Particularly when what we already know has come from limited sources that only reinforce our prejudices.
But balance cannot be achieved when we approach the conversation already believing we have nothing more to learn.
Particularly when what we already know has come from limited sources that only reinforce our prejudices.
The way you think and see the world is a result of where you happened to be born by completely random chance.
You didn't earn it. You didn't work for it. Totally. Random. Chance.
You didn't earn it. You didn't work for it. Totally. Random. Chance.
So if you never explore and expand, it's natural you'll find yourself in an atmosphere that only reinforces what you've been told, even if it's wrong.
This is a scary reality because it feels like everything that's different is an attack or a challenge, when it's actually a learning experience.
Fear keeps us small. Curiosity shows us the expanses of the world.
Education is the enemy of prejudice. It's time we choose progress.
Fear keeps us small. Curiosity shows us the expanses of the world.
Education is the enemy of prejudice. It's time we choose progress.
