Comments on: A Quick Observation: Cynics and Optimists in the Blogosphere http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2009/05/05/a-quick-observation-cynics-and-optimists-in-the-blogosphere/ Politics for Real People Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:37:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: barto http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2009/05/05/a-quick-observation-cynics-and-optimists-in-the-blogosphere/#comment-238 barto Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:45:06 +0000 http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/?p=802#comment-238 Sites like DailyKos have ways of giving commenters "mojo" (support) without actually posting a response. You can also down rate particularly obnoxious comments to the point where they get hidden. The most productive discussions occur when useful information and observations are being passes along. Invective and ad hominem attacks, even when not directed towards the diarist or commenter, generally don't get much mojo. So what's my point? I'm not sure, it certainly doesn't answer your inquiry! One of the things progressives need to learn in order to further our cause(s) is how to capture the ear of the other side. Until that happens (and I think people like you are moving us in that direction), we will be viewed as shrill and remain as willfully neglected in the same way we treat the shouters on the other side. Sites like DailyKos have ways of giving commenters "mojo" (support) without actually posting a response. You can also down rate particularly obnoxious comments to the point where they get hidden. The most productive discussions occur when useful information and observations are being passes along. Invective and ad hominem attacks, even when not directed towards the diarist or commenter, generally don't get much mojo. So what's my point? I'm not sure, it certainly doesn't answer your inquiry! One of the things progressives need to learn in order to further our cause(s) is how to capture the ear of the other side. Until that happens (and I think people like you are moving us in that direction), we will be viewed as shrill and remain as willfully neglected in the same way we treat the shouters on the other side.

]]> By: jdavis http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/2009/05/05/a-quick-observation-cynics-and-optimists-in-the-blogosphere/#comment-222 jdavis Sun, 17 May 2009 06:38:27 +0000 http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/?p=802#comment-222 Why isn't dialogue between opposing factions seen as a safe and positive idea? Because our North American U.S. is polarized to the extreme. When my "opinion" threatens another's self esteem I may be attacked by that person or group. The U.S. of North America is not a land of freedom; it's a land of fear. Many of us have lost (or never had) the concept of true personal power - that power that can only come from letting go rather than grasping and hanging on. Native American spirituality says, "it's a good day to die." They don't say that because they want to die. They say it because they respect the interconnectedness of all things. Therefore, if I'm in respectful relationship with the universe; any day is a good day, whether I die or live. I am ready. I am in harmony. Fear of death destroys my natural empathy with the universe - with my human family - with my mother the earth. Self doubt will come to anyone. Fear is the first enemy of the knowledge seeker. Facing fear and self doubt may be accomplished through an empowered presence of mind that says; I'm in tune with the interconnectedness of all things, therefore I will move forward despite fear. When I am able to move forward despite my fear of others, I gain the ability to actually empower others to feel, act, and be present in what we call the world or reality. When I am afraid; I want everything to stop. I want you to stop preaching at me, I want the government to leave me alone, I want to closet myself with my soothing "comforts" and I don't care what happens as long as I don't have to face any opposition. If I do have to face opposition I'm very likley to be reactive and a bully. I lose any chance of connection when I drop my empathy and turn to run from my fears. Why isn't dialogue between opposing factions seen as a safe and positive idea?

Because our North American U.S. is polarized to the extreme. When my "opinion" threatens another's self esteem I may be attacked by that person or group. The U.S. of North America is not a land of freedom; it's a land of fear. Many of us have lost (or never had) the concept of true personal power – that power that can only come from letting go rather than grasping and hanging on. Native American spirituality says, "it's a good day to die." They don't say that because they want to die. They say it because they respect the interconnectedness of all things. Therefore, if I'm in respectful relationship with the universe; any day is a good day, whether I die or live. I am ready. I am in harmony. Fear of death destroys my natural empathy with the universe – with my human family – with my mother the earth. Self doubt will come to anyone. Fear is the first enemy of the knowledge seeker. Facing fear and self doubt may be accomplished through an empowered presence of mind that says; I'm in tune with the interconnectedness of all things, therefore I will move forward despite fear. When I am able to move forward despite my fear of others, I gain the ability to actually empower others to feel, act, and be present in what we call the world or reality. When I am afraid; I want everything to stop. I want you to stop preaching at me, I want the government to leave me alone, I want to closet myself with my soothing "comforts" and I don't care what happens as long as I don't have to face any opposition. If I do have to face opposition I'm very likley to be reactive and a bully. I lose any chance of connection when I drop my empathy and turn to run from my fears.

]]>