Reasons for optimism

[Robert Roaldi]

A couple of recent articles/podcasts that don't make things seem so dire. A little pick-me-up before winter sets in.

An article from academia re polite discussions of ethics (yes Virginia, they are possible) from an instructor at a Appalachian college: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/10/13/america-cultural-divide-red-state-blue-state-228111. It's possible to have differences of opinion without coming to the conclusion that the opposite party is an idiot. Sometimes we forget.

And a Sam Harris podcast, an interesting discussion with Andrew McAfee (https://samharris.org/podcasts/170-great-uncoupling/) that starts with the interesting premise that wealth creation is depending less and less on resource extraction, an optimistic view of the future. He gives many examples, he is bullish about the direction that most humans are going, albeit with several concerns. Nothing is ever smooth sailing, needless to say.

[Alan Klein]

A couple of recent articles/podcasts that don't make things seem so dire. A little pick-me-up before winter sets in.

An article from academia re polite discussions of ethics (yes Virginia, they are possible) from an instructor at a Appalachian college: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/10/13/america-cultural-divide-red-state-blue-state-228111. It's possible to have differences of opinion without coming to the conclusion that the opposite party is an idiot. Sometimes we forget.

And a Sam Harris podcast, an interesting discussion with Andrew McAfee (https://samharris.org/podcasts/170-great-uncoupling/) that starts with the interesting premise that wealth creation is depending less and less on resource extraction, an optimistic view of the future. He gives many examples, he is bullish about the direction that most humans are going, albeit with several concerns. Nothing is ever smooth sailing, needless to say.

It must be working, Robert.  No one here is arguing with you.  Yet. 

[Alan Klein]

Well, I read the first article.  Very interesting.  Certainly doesn;t sound like our argumentative threads in the Coffee Corner.  Actually, that extends to most sections of this and every forum I've seen.  Canon vs. nikon; film vs. digital.  You name it and we argue about it rather than trying to understand other's point of views.  Maybe we should require everyone read that article before they're allowed to post.  My guess is that no one's mind has ever been changed in these threads.  We talk at each other rather than with each other.  I'm just as guilty of that as most people here.  We don't try to understand the other person's point:- "getting into the skin of others and walking around a little" isn't a standard operating procedure. 

[Alan Klein]

I didn't listen to the podcast.  It's too long.  Can you sum up its salient points?

[Robert Roaldi]

I didn't listen to the podcast.  It's too long.  Can you sum up its salient points?

Not really, too complex and nuanced for me to summarize meaningfully. Best bet is to read McAfee's book on which the interview is based.  I can't listen to long podcasts sitting at home either, which is why I listen to them in the car on longish drives or while running errands around town.

[Alan Klein]

Well, I read the first article.  Very interesting.  Certainly doesn;t sound like our argumentative threads in the Coffee Corner.  Actually, that extends to most sections of this and every forum I've seen.  Canon vs. nikon; film vs. digital.  You name it and we argue about it rather than trying to understand other's point of views.  Maybe we should require everyone read that article before they're allowed to post.  My guess is that no one's mind has ever been changed in these threads.  We talk at each other rather than with each other.  I'm just as guilty of that as most people here.  We don't try to understand the other person's point:- "getting into the skin of others and walking around a little" isn't a standard operating procedure. 

I've been thinking about this.  The problem is the way forums communicate.  It's curt and we're invisible to each other.  In real life when you speak with people, you can get into arguments too.  But there's a sense of courtesy.  You're looking at someone human not just dumping stuff into a typewriter.  There is no warmth to forums.  Sometimes I try telling a little joke to make it more casual; more human. Otherwise posts come off like lawyers making points or school teachers giving lessons.  Cold and informal.  No one wants to be told what to do and how to think.  You become self-defensive; the walls go up. Not sure how to correct that and make it less offensive.  Any thoughts?

[LesPalenik]

I've been thinking about this.  The problem is the way forums communicate.  It's curt and we're invisible to each other.  In real life when you speak with people, you can get into arguments too.  But there's a sense of courtesy.  You're looking at someone human not just dumping stuff into a typewriter.  There is no warmth to forums.  Sometimes I try telling a little joke to make it more casual; more human. Otherwise posts come off like lawyers making points or school teachers giving lessons.  Cold and informal.  No one wants to be told what to do and how to think.  You become self-defensive; the walls go up. Not sure how to correct that and make it less offensive.  Any thoughts?

Sometimes, the forums can heat up considerably.

[Alan Klein]

Yeah it can get really hot.