Comments on: Where’s the grey?! http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey We Help Managers Make a Difference Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:26:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bill Welter http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-310 Bill Welter Thu, 14 May 2009 00:45:04 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-310 Barb, Great observation. I'm pretty disgusted with our political system -- very little give and take , but a lot of warring ideolies. Bill Barb,
Great observation. I’m pretty disgusted with our political system — very little give and take , but a lot of warring ideolies.
Bill

]]> By: Barb Hartsook http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-309 Barb Hartsook Wed, 13 May 2009 21:57:34 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-309 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… 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…

]]> By: 4 Blogging Styles that Nurture Community: Guest Post by Brad Shorr | Confident Writing http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-305 4 Blogging Styles that Nurture Community: Guest Post by Brad Shorr | Confident Writing Thu, 07 May 2009 09:47:41 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-305 [...] 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 [...] [...] 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 [...]

]]> By: Bill Welter http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-44 Bill Welter Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:14:29 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-44 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. 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.

]]> By: Bill Welter http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-41 Bill Welter Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:59:38 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-41 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. 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.

]]> By: Cath Lawson http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-40 Cath Lawson Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:19:49 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-40 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. 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.

]]> By: Fred H Schlegel http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-37 Fred H Schlegel Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:36:36 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-37 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. 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.

]]> By: BillWelter http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-34 BillWelter Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:22:46 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-34 Brad, I love the "sleeping majority" terms and promise to steal it. I think I see them all over the place! WAKE UP! Brad,
I love the “sleeping majority” terms and promise to steal it. I think I see them all over the place! WAKE UP!

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-33 Brad Shorr Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:57:05 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-33 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? 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?

]]> By: BillWelter http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/index.php/wheres-the-grey/comment-page-1#comment-31 BillWelter Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:41:14 +0000 http://www.adaptstrat.com/blog/?p=52#comment-31 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, 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.

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