Safe Topics and Anti-intellectualism

Everyone feel free to comment, I would love to hear back from you!

I am an idiot about so many things in life, in others, I pride myself for the love of learning. Most importantly, I try to share and compare information by having something called conversation. Conversation is a funny thing, for some it is easier than for others. We all need some of it at least.

So when having discussions around Fargo, ND, I find myself divided. On one hand you have people who genuinely enjoy bringing up universal issues, which may require opinion and thought. These people seem to be in the minority around here as a majority of people have built a society around avoiding controversy and have accomplished this by leading the chat into gossip, celebrities, sports, and personal chat.

Not that I have any issue with these things...well ok, perhaps I have an issue about celebrities, but gossip is one of the most important moral developments our species has made. No, what I have an issue with is when people shame others for bringing up issues which require discussion. The slightest hint of science, politics, religion, or any other controversial topics and people cower into their safety zones by suggesting those topic are too serious, boring, or rude.

This tends to compound over time as most tend to listen only to the media which already agrees with them, entrenching people's opinions to the point where inflammatory remarks are made every time the subject comes up.

By avoiding conversation about certain issues, American adults have lost an ability to rationally deliver their opinions and it would seem they now consider disagreeing with someone to be a negative thing. I assert, the ability to disagree with someone and discuss it is a luxury which has been amplified with individualism.

Also, when people ask me how I know things, then scoff when I mention the act of reading a book, I am astounded. Where is the congratulation for reading, the encouragement to expand your mind and grasp a different perspective. Where is the challenge friends and colleagues should offer to help one overcome their ignorance or fears? Where is the societal support to educate oneself?

I think the lowest moment, though, was when someone asked me... "why would you want to know that?"

Shame on you United States of America, we have a lot of work to do....