http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/feed

Friday, 12 of March of 2010

Print

Where’s the grey?!

No Gravatar

We seem to live in a world of extreme points of view: liberal OR conservative; management OR union; Red state OR Blue state; black OR white. My rant is not about any one of these in particular, but about the mis-use of ideology.

Ideology is helpful when it is used to underscore the principles that we use in critical thinking. It helps use explain our values and use these values when we think about the problems and opportunities we face. Unfortunately, ideology is sometimes used as a substitute for thinking. And that is dangerous for all of us.

What ever happened to “give and take?” How come the word “compromise” is often associated with “lose?” Are we teaching our young people that they can only color their world with black or white crayons? I LOVE grey because it allows for all of the nuances of “the real world.”

Give me your thoughts. Is “compromise” a dirty word?

Date: March 5th, 2009 @ 09:27

Author: Bill Welter

Categories: Prepared Mind

Tags:

Leave a Comment

  • CommentLuv Enabled

Comments RSS TrackBack 11 comments

Brad ShorrNo Gravatar

in March 6th, 2009 @ 07:14

Bill, excellent question. I attribute some of the problem to the rising tide of political correctness. It’s no longer possible to talk about religion in the public square. Political debates – again, they seldom seem to come up in casual conversation. People are afraid to offend, so they just keep their mouths shut. The only folks with the passion and will to speak out are extremists. I’m oversimplifying, but do you think there’s anything to it?

BillWelterNo Gravatar

in March 6th, 2009 @ 08:41

Brad, I think you are right on the mark. The entire “middle” is too polite to stand up for themselves, too willing to only listen. In that case, only the people are the extremes can find their voice. And they seem to relish the role.

Brad ShorrNo Gravatar

in March 7th, 2009 @ 15:57

Remember, was it LBJ who used the term “Silent Majority”? I think we have devolved into the Sleeping Majority. This is a very bad development for our culture. Do you see a Sleeping Majority effect in the corporate world?

BillWelterNo Gravatar

in March 8th, 2009 @ 06:22

Brad,
I love the “sleeping majority” terms and promise to steal it. I think I see them all over the place! WAKE UP!

Fred H SchlegelNo Gravatar

in March 9th, 2009 @ 06:36

Good question. Do you think the ‘loss of grey’ is due to the headline mentality that seems to drive so much communication? If your point isn’t abundantly clear and urgent in the first few seconds of exposure eyeballs and ears wander on to the next idea. ‘Balanced’ in this context does not allow for nuance, only opposition.

Cath LawsonNo Gravatar

in March 9th, 2009 @ 08:19

Hi Bill – I hope that isn’t what our young people are being taught. I always prefer when the outcome of any situation is win/win.

Bill WelterNo Gravatar

in March 9th, 2009 @ 09:59

Fred,
You raise a good point, but I think something else is in play as well. More and more people (for whatever reason) are succombing to the “ease of ideology” and this takes a load off of their minds — they don’t have to think. So they tune into radio stations or read writers that are already singing their tune. And the song gets louder and louder and louder. For example, I have friends that ONLY listen to conservative radio; I have other friends that ONLY listen to liberal radio. They don’t look for opposing points of view. I wish I knew how to analyze this, I can only observe it and wonder.

Bill WelterNo Gravatar

in March 9th, 2009 @ 10:14

Cath,
Unfortunately, I do think our society is teaching young people that all that counts is to win — but it’s one-sided. I’m not sure how to “teach compromise” but I do think we need to do more of it. Thanks for the observation.

Barb HartsookNo Gravatar

in May 13th, 2009 @ 16:57

Goodness — just watch any political program (sold as news) and listen to the conversations. So often it’s who-can-talk-the-loudest-and-interrupt-the-most-in-order-to-be-heard interviews or talks across a table.

Ideologies are not discussed, they’re shouted. In real conversation there’s give and take, respect for, if not agreement with, opposing views. An intellectually uplifting time to refine one’s own thoughts, confirm his own beliefs.

In our politically-correct culture, grey is not permitted. Beliefs are not valid if they oppose mine.

Last year’s campaign was really ugly. And it’s too bad — because it should have been a historical year for discussion. Lots of good could have come of it. But instead of talking, we shouted at each other, not based on how we live, but on what was going on in the band wagon of the press.

Great question to think about…

Bill WelterNo Gravatar

in May 13th, 2009 @ 19:45

Barb,
Great observation. I’m pretty disgusted with our political system — very little give and take , but a lot of warring ideolies.
Bill

TrackBack

4 Blogging Styles that Nurture Community: Guest Post by Brad Shorr | Confident Writing

[...] style is short, sweet, and to the point. He hits you right between the eyes with a question that stops you in your tracks, forces you to think, and challenges your [...]