Political Atheism - Revisited
"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow." - Alice Walker
This study gave me an "Ah HA!" about why the position of political atheism appeals to me so much: "The association between political orientation and political knowledge in 45 nations." (H/T to Steve Stewart-Williams for the link.)
From the abstract:
Contrary to the dominant perspective, we found no evidence that people at the political extremes are the most knowledgeable about politics. Rather, the most common pattern was a fourth-degree polynomial association in which those who are moderately left-wing and right-wing are more knowledgeable than people at the extremes and center of the political spectrum. This pattern was especially, though not exclusively, prevalent in Western countries. We conclude that the relationship between political orientation and political knowledge is more context-dependent and complex than assumed, and caution against (implicit) universal conclusions in social sciences.
My personal experience conforms with the conclusions of this research. I enjoy my conversations on politics with moderates not just because they are less inflammatory and heated, but because they are also informative. In such a context, I can be persuaded and I can persuade. It's a win/win. Conversations with those at the extremes (when once upon a time I engaged with them) devolved quickly into one of the following tar pits:
Long-winded pontifications
Whataboutism
"SHUT UP," they'll explain.
"Because reasons!", they'll insist.
Loudly enumerating all their hallucinated assumptions about the assumptions I'm making then berating me for the assumptive strawman they've created.
Ad hominem attacks
Each one of these creates an uneasy distance in the relationship and often leads to a mutual ostracization. I don't like being lectured to and they don't like being asked questions.
Caution, dear reader, for friendships are at risk in the low information extremes. Do not go into that dark place, for no fun can be found there!
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If you have any questions, need anything clarified, or have something else on your mind, please send a DM or email me directly.