There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking.
July 11, 2006 6:41 AM Subscribe
There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking. ~ Alfred Korzybski
Can you relate this quote to American politics?
Do you think that there is a correlation between those who doubt everything and Democrats? Same with Republicans and believing everything? Do you believe that that correlation is intentional, or just a coincidence? How has the history and development of the parties in the US created these correlations (if they exist)?
Especially since the 1970s post-Vietnam, cynicism and lack of confidence in the government has been on the rise. Are we simply on the cynical part of the belief cycle (since prior to the war so many Americans blindly believed in government actions)? Even the greatest of thinkers can fall into a mind trap like this, so is there any way to bounce back from our deepening cynicism?
Do you think that there is a correlation between those who doubt everything and Democrats? Same with Republicans and believing everything? Do you believe that that correlation is intentional, or just a coincidence? How has the history and development of the parties in the US created these correlations (if they exist)?
Especially since the 1970s post-Vietnam, cynicism and lack of confidence in the government has been on the rise. Are we simply on the cynical part of the belief cycle (since prior to the war so many Americans blindly believed in government actions)? Even the greatest of thinkers can fall into a mind trap like this, so is there any way to bounce back from our deepening cynicism?
This post was deleted for the following reason: civics essay filter - what is the problem to be solved?
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No. Both sides believe and disbelieve incredibly stupid things with regularity.
"Are we simply on the cynical part of the belief cycle (since prior to the war so many Americans blindly believed in government actions)?"
Not really. About 50% didn't believe. They got told to go screw.
"Even the greatest of thinkers can fall into a mind trap like this, so is there any way to bounce back from our deepening cynicism?"
Usually, it takes overcoming some disaster that threatens the very foundations of our society (Depression, WWI, WWII, Civil War, etc.)
As we're actually a bit too comfortable right now, we're more likely to see consumeristic nihilism increase.
posted by klangklangston at 7:04 AM on July 11, 2006