Kris - thanks so much for this. It's a really helpful framing of something that I kind of think I've been fumbling towards (my saying is that the older I get, the less I think I know), but phrased really well. The one thing that crosses my mind is that I kind of feel like this is approach is somewhat predicated on finding yourself in a moderately unthreatened position. My sense (which could be wrong, of course) is that many people involved in some of the debates of our times feel sufficiently endangered or marginalized that taking an approach like what you've recommended might feel like giving up inches that have been won with blood. I don't have a great answer to that. I think that for me, I should try to incorporate this into my Weltanshauung, but I'm interested in whether or not this is something you've thought about. I mean - look - as a late 30s white guy with moderate economic success, I'm the least marginalized person ever. I should OF COURSE approach the world with humility and kindness, if only as karmic payback for the hand I've been dealt. Not everybody's going to be in the same position, though.
Kris - thanks so much for this. It's a really helpful framing of something that I kind of think I've been fumbling towards (my saying is that the older I get, the less I think I know), but phrased really well. The one thing that crosses my mind is that I kind of feel like this is approach is somewhat predicated on finding yourself in a moderately unthreatened position. My sense (which could be wrong, of course) is that many people involved in some of the debates of our times feel sufficiently endangered or marginalized that taking an approach like what you've recommended might feel like giving up inches that have been won with blood. I don't have a great answer to that. I think that for me, I should try to incorporate this into my Weltanshauung, but I'm interested in whether or not this is something you've thought about. I mean - look - as a late 30s white guy with moderate economic success, I'm the least marginalized person ever. I should OF COURSE approach the world with humility and kindness, if only as karmic payback for the hand I've been dealt. Not everybody's going to be in the same position, though.
Wow ! This was my first time reading anything you’ve written. Won’t be the last. Sharing now - @reubstock on Twitter . Keep it up - great stuff.