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THREAD: THE GREAT AMERICAN COMMUNICATION DIVIDE (re: MAGA, GOP DEMS and fact based reality).
Twitter friends, lately I've read a plethora of articles proposing that when deconstructed, the issues before us are simply (mis-) communication problems; all easily solvable if 1/
Twitter friends, lately I've read a plethora of articles proposing that when deconstructed, the issues before us are simply (mis-) communication problems; all easily solvable if 1/
only we just talked to one another.
While that's a nice Mr Roger's sentiment, to represent what ails us in the manner wholly mis-understands the root causes of the problem. Further, to mis- understand, ignore or overlook the evident root causes embedded in our current 2/
While that's a nice Mr Roger's sentiment, to represent what ails us in the manner wholly mis-understands the root causes of the problem. Further, to mis- understand, ignore or overlook the evident root causes embedded in our current 2/
landscape, risks constructing solutions that do not begin to address those problems. Moreover, it should also be clear the price we will pay for ignoring the uncomfortable in favor of palatable but mismatched ineffective "fixes" borders on the catastrophic because left 3/
unattended, the natural progression of those root causes are all but guarenteed to bring about all we fear.
So let me start by addressing why the idea that we simply have a failure to communicate completely mis-understands both root causes and what's at stake. 4/
So let me start by addressing why the idea that we simply have a failure to communicate completely mis-understands both root causes and what's at stake. 4/
As a Forensic Clinical Neuropsychologist & a Genocide Scholar, I run into communication, word meaning and frame of reference problems A LOT. Often it's the crux of the problem re: challenging not only the internal assumptions you have about yourself and others, but what you 5/
think others intend to mean about you and of course it's also the crux of the problem for couples.
WE NEED TO ASK EACH OTHER WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT OR HOW THAT TRANSLATES AND TRACKS FOR YOU IN EVERY DAY LIFE, FAR MORE OFTEN. (e.g., 2 patients tell me they are depressed. 6/
WE NEED TO ASK EACH OTHER WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT OR HOW THAT TRANSLATES AND TRACKS FOR YOU IN EVERY DAY LIFE, FAR MORE OFTEN. (e.g., 2 patients tell me they are depressed. 6/
The first thing I do is ask them what that looks like, feels like and how they behave in response in their everyday life. Guaranteed even IF BOTH ARE DEPRESSED it's not the same for either one and treatment will need to morph to benefit each re: what's going on for them). 7/
That said, while I understand all that goes on and know how to deal with it....
As just a normal human being inside my head I often find myself screaming: WHAT THE HELL IS A DICTIONARY FOR? That's our agreed upon SHARED reference for what words mean right? No, it seems 8/
As just a normal human being inside my head I often find myself screaming: WHAT THE HELL IS A DICTIONARY FOR? That's our agreed upon SHARED reference for what words mean right? No, it seems 8/
many folks have their own version of the dictionary... where "always" and "never" don't have a standard shared meaning!!! AND YES, THATS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY MAKING ..
However, the above should not become entangled with the issue of processing information and facts differently 9/
However, the above should not become entangled with the issue of processing information and facts differently 9/
because the larger question is: how is it most folks manage to process fact based info with agreement versus a large portion of the population who ADJUST what they see to fit their beliefs?....
We in the MH BIZ call this self-delusion and there are specific perks to 10/
We in the MH BIZ call this self-delusion and there are specific perks to 10/
this as a lifestyle, but the down sides will kill you. Maybe not right away but nature does not take kindly to folks who do not align with reality...
So let's start with this: that is not normal and is endemic of folks with low cognitive functioning and/or a weak moral 11/
So let's start with this: that is not normal and is endemic of folks with low cognitive functioning and/or a weak moral 11/
conscience because they are unwilling to see what's there when it doesn't suit them.
However this is not how fact based/reality based societies function (& BTW you jump off a building, you're going down whether you believe it or not; & kids pls don't try this at home, just 12/
However this is not how fact based/reality based societies function (& BTW you jump off a building, you're going down whether you believe it or not; & kids pls don't try this at home, just 12/
take my word for it ok). If in the majority, we each altered our shared understanding of the law (above and beyond what is already racially altered)...everyone would be in jail....
And how is it these folks understand what not to do so they come up to the line but don't cross 13/
And how is it these folks understand what not to do so they come up to the line but don't cross 13/
over it to break the law by ordinary shared standards, but loose that ability when dealing with facts?.....
Seems to me there is one of 2 things going on here, either we've separated into two groups, one that has evolved to deal with reality, the other, which has 14/
Seems to me there is one of 2 things going on here, either we've separated into two groups, one that has evolved to deal with reality, the other, which has 14/
self-selected to de-evolved in terms of dealing with reality, soon to die out because they either refuse or are unable, to deal with reality (& let's be clear we are speaking mostly of WP in the larger social context here). (second option further down)
And while 15/
And while 15/
communication issues re existing differences and variances in colloquial, regional familial cultural heuristic & hermeneutical meaning as a frame of reference IS NORMAL, and a normal part of individual human relations, it is not so varied as to cause pervasively wild 16/
misunderstandings most of the time or we'd never even survive with ANY relationships intact.
The idea such a wild gap exists between what constitutes reality and what does not as being normal within any given society just isnt accurate. In fact you don't see that divide in 17/
The idea such a wild gap exists between what constitutes reality and what does not as being normal within any given society just isnt accurate. In fact you don't see that divide in 17/
ANY STABLE FUNCTIONING COUNTRY UNLESS.....
that country is in the process of de-stabalizing and as such, is manifesting all the pre-cursers to genocide (the second option). Such gaps at that point only serve as t/rational for those in t/position of de-evolving to eventually 18/
that country is in the process of de-stabalizing and as such, is manifesting all the pre-cursers to genocide (the second option). Such gaps at that point only serve as t/rational for those in t/position of de-evolving to eventually 18/
commit Genocide in the service of wiping out those whose reality YOU CAN NOT TOLERATE....
So, and, both options can be true at the same time (meaning evoling to deal and de-evolving not to deal as indicators of and pre-cursers to Genocide).
However, I would argue here 19/
So, and, both options can be true at the same time (meaning evoling to deal and de-evolving not to deal as indicators of and pre-cursers to Genocide).
However, I would argue here 19/
the purpose of folks believing what is convenient to bolster t/rationale for their hate & fear serves to make what becomes their ultimate solution (genocide), justifyable and moral in their minds. BOTTOM LINE: THAT IS NOT A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT DOES CAUSE 20/
PROBLEMS WITH COMMUNICATION.
You don't have to believe me, see Germans pre- during & -post WWII Nazi Germany, especially during the -post Nazi period and read the interviews covering how the majority of Germans who became Nazi's duped themselves (same is repeated 21/
You don't have to believe me, see Germans pre- during & -post WWII Nazi Germany, especially during the -post Nazi period and read the interviews covering how the majority of Germans who became Nazi's duped themselves (same is repeated 21/
across post Rwandan genocide for Hutus convicted of war crimes and the struggle to reintegrate a functioning civil society in the aftermath....
Again: what we are faced with IS NOT A COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM However the current dynamics embedded within White America 22/
Again: what we are faced with IS NOT A COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM However the current dynamics embedded within White America 22/
(& let's be clear, this is largely owing to White Supremacy) are all but guaranteed to generate problems in/with communication.
But let us not in our discomfort and haste mistake for root causes, easily identifiable problems that emerge as a result.
23/
END
But let us not in our discomfort and haste mistake for root causes, easily identifiable problems that emerge as a result.
23/
END
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@ARocketGal
@Momofsmi
@Captmike4804
@trying2help
@ashkenaz89
@glennkirschner2
@DrWinarick
@SameiHuda
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