Often on TV or in the newspaper, you’ll get articles that incorporate scare tactics and make emotional pleas for your attention. It has been said that the best way to sell someone your product is to convince them that without it, they will die; TV news and political debate have become the embodiment of this philosophy.
Unfortunately, the line between sharing an emotional story and blatantly manipulating others’ emotions is very easy to cross, even unintentionally. Because blatant manipulation of others is immoral by my standards, using emotional appeals when marketing a political viewpoint is unethical. Both sides do it: the Republicans claim abortion supporters are ‘murders, killing innocent children’, while Democrats claim welfare-reform supporters are ‘heartless monsters, taking the food from hungry children’. In fact, if you hear anything said about children on a political issue, this manipulation is being attempted. It’s just plain wrong. Whether the change needs to be made or not, the approach, the HOW, must be ethical. Period.
I prefer a different approach. Rather than tugging on emotions, I prefer educating, teaching, helping bring understanding and comprehension to those who are interested. It isn’t always easy. Sometimes it takes a long time and tremendous patience.
One of my favorite personal exercises is to debate from the side of an issue that I disagree with. In order to do this, I must stretch myself to understand where the supporters are coming from, what they find important and want to protect or create (or eliminate or whatever). I don’t just say the words, I search for comprehension and agreement. I can usually find it; we are all human, after all, and our thoughts aren’t really that different. And it’s worth it.
Why is it worth the extra work? Because from comprehension, from understanding, comes peace. When people can keep their egos in check and make a genuine attempt to understand the opposition, true breakthroughs are possible. Finding a workable middle-ground is far more valuable than refusing to budge on an issue at any cost.
An extremist viewpoint, a hard-line, must-win approach hurts everyone who doesn’t conform to that viewpoint. An open mind, willing to seek ways in which both parties can get what they want, opens the door to solutions that are truly revolutionary.
Learn something about your opponents’ viewpoint today. See if you can understand. Don’t try to change anyone, just see if you can get where they are coming from.
That small step is the first step to changing the world.
In the news
- From ‘oooohhhhmmmm’ to ‘wow, dude!’: Extra-strong incense drug warning
- ‘Better’ does not necessarily mean ‘practical’: Plaster cast ‘better for sprains’
- Does your bedroom hold the indicators for your economic condition? Is sexual desire entering a recession?
Quote for the week
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions. – Albert Einstein
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
