How Would James Bond Act?
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There are many stories — real and imaginary — that help us to value calm action in the face of great challenges. Almost definitely, you have enjoyed some of these stories and characters. Think: James Bond, Luke Skywalker, Yu Shu Lien, Jackie Brown, Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, Jesus, Lao-Tzu, etc.
We respect and seem to understand the importance of staying cool. Naturally, we see it as an ideal. But how hard do we try to incorporate it into our own lives?
The topic comes up around one particular sector of society for me right now, and I hope writing about it a little bit will help society by an iota or two.
The thing is, political “discourse” in the USA and elsewhere has gotten horrible. It’s gotten destructive. It’s gotten counterproductive. And it’s gotten downright unpleasant. How better to bring people into the democratic process than by turning it into a WWE event, eh?
My request, or pitch, is that those of you reading this article will endeavor (a bit more than usual) to treat political debate like a more civil and cooperative process.
Cooperative?! What?! Yes, because in the end, however we go about it, we are cooperating in democracy. We can cooperate in a constructive or a counterproductive manner. Unless our aim is simply to hurt society, the latter doesn’t make much sense.
I’m well aware that bashing other humans is a pretty effective way to get people to not vote for them. I’m well aware that it takes reflection and morality to approach your goals in a different manner. And I’m well aware that I’m not going to put the United States or global population under a magic spell of peace and love. But every little bit counts in an effort to change the atmosphere.
Getting back to effectiveness…. If your goal is to convince others of a new viewpoint, yelling at them and insulting them generally isn’t the most effective way to do so anyway. Think about how lobbyists work — they befriend politicians, they give them gifts, they hang out with them in the most informal ways they can manage, and they act like they love these special politicians more than their grandmothers.
Think about how you react when someone starts yelling at you or insulting your mother. (It makes you want to take their advice and believe their claims, doesn’t it?)
If your aim in discussing political matters (or any matters) is to share knowledge and insight, resulting in better decisions by others, it’s simply in your best interest to act like a level-headed James Bond or Lao-Tzu.
Like I said, you can pull some bystanders to your side by bullying, bashing, and demonizing other humans, but if you choose that route, I think you, to some degree, have to face up to your own morality and net contribution to society.
This is just my two cents on a topic that I think is in many respects out of control. I can’t admit that I think it’ll have a significant effect on society. But if it has a little bit of an effect on a few of you, and on the community we host here on CleanTechnica, I’ll definitely consider it worth my time.
Just be cool, dude.
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