My Week on Facebook

Posted by Wonky 11 years, 7 months ago to Politics
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I took a short hiatus from the Gulch to fiddle around on Facebook and see if I could stimulate any significant debate on taxes, RTTT/CCCT, the ACA, AS/Ayn Rand. As it turns out, my friends and family had little to nothing to offer. Even when I reduced the argument to, "should the federal government spend more than it collects in taxes", virtually every response was evasive. I proudly installed my "Who is John Galt" bumper sticker earlier this week, jumped on the Kickstarter campaign, and feel more strongly than ever that small government defending capitalism is the only logical, sustainable option for a nation that wishes to prosper.

I had a strange thought that may or may not be a revelation... Most people are too afraid of being perceived as uncaring, unaltruistic, and selfish to openly admit that they despise looters. They would rather try to maintain the appearance of nobility and watch our country go bankrupt than openly oppose social programs. It's saddening to face the reality that so many of my friends and family are so blind. I'm still fighting the fight. It's tedious, and Facebook probably isn't the best place to wage serious debates, but my invitation to visit the gulch seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Just venting a bit. Still, comments on combatting ignorance among friends and family members who are capable of understanding would be greatly appreciated.

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  • Posted by $ winterwind 11 years, 7 months ago
    I'd love to help you here, Wonky, but my story's the same as yours, basically. I truly attribute the difficulty of changing people's minds about what I'll cal "philosophical politics" is due to the reality that most people are not capable of thinking about things as being different than they are right now. It's a high-level thinking skill, and most people don't get beyond the basic pleasure/pain, what do I have to do today besides going to work and picking up the kids, more money/less money, etc etc. One has to have the desire to learn it, sometimes someone to help, lots of practice time.....it's not about being smart, but that helps. This one's difficult for me: there are actually people in the world who CANNOT CONCEIVE of any way that roads could be built and maintained without government and all that it implies. You can lead them thru the steps, one by one, Socratic or lecture, and they spend the whole time going "yeah, I get that! Good idea! I see!" and at the end they say "But it'll never happen." and roads are a simple argument! Add in the realities we've all mentioned about education, apathy, communication, and all - with some people, you'll never, ever get there.
    I think you're right in your 2nd paragraph when you say "Most people are too afraid of being perceived as uncaring, unaltruistic, and selfish...." Everybody wants to be seen as "nice", "cooperative", "a team player", "one of the guys/gals" - so they are afraid to give their true opinion on anything lest someone not like them. I'd rather be able to look in the mirror and like and respect the person I see than even bother to give a snap about who I have to be today to get someone to like me.
    Sorry I don't have the magic answer - just the same question.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    True, thank you. However, at some point in my life I'd like to have an intelligent, informed, interesting conversation without a 10 minute minimum delay between responses.
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  • Posted by $ minniepuck 11 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I can understand the frustration. It's not easy, that's for sure. Shrug Cards are helping climb that hill, though. :)
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm on the brink of not calling my friends 'friends' anymore because what's the point of being 'friends' with people who can't/won't/or refuse to have an important discussion/conversation/or debate. I've been trying to open eyes for years and figure I've got about 6 months left in me before I tell them straight up that they are no longer worth my time and effort and I won't waste my life on them for one more second. Getting looked at like I have 3 heads is getting old too. I have also given away several copies of AS....one person has read it and liked it but hasn't shown interest in furthering her Rand education. The others are collecting dust I assume. It's an uphill battle for sure.
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