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You're not wrong that politics is enormously complex, but I think you are wrong that the average person is able to pick a side perhaps only because they lack an

You're not wrong that politics is enormously complex, but I think you are wrong that the average person is able to pick a side perhaps only because they lack analytical depth or consideration. Rather, it may be that most people are more comfortable than you are at making judgments in these fraught, ambiguous scenarios, and that this is not at all a bad thing. Most art, politics, and even sports (physical qualities being considered equal) are all areas that can't really be solved by a complete analysis because, as you say, there are too many variables. Nonetheless, some people are much better at these things than others due to qualities that are hard to describe exactly. This ability to make good split second decisions without a complete analytical understanding of the problem or even the current state is one of those qualities. I don't think this ability is superficial, or without value. Rather, it just goes to show how different people are from one another. So I would encourage you not to suggest to others who do have strong political views that their views are unfounded just because they are strong and the domain is complex.

hnbro 10y ago
do you have "strong political views"?
tfigment 10y ago
While I partially agree, some of these people will also actively ignore information when presented and do not have a skeptical mind. Many people do not change their mind after they first form an opinion on a subject or it takes a lot of effort to change it afterwords. Forming opinions quickly and never revisiting the underlying assumptions, I would argue can be dangerous as well and is probably more normal that either of us care to acknowledge. Some people are in very high positions of power and can make decisions that impact peoples lives. Ignoring them and letting them do whatever they want may not always lead to good outcomes. But I will agree that purely ruminating on it does not improve one's situation.
- matwood 10y ago
  Practicing skepticism and always being analytical is a lot of work. Listening to the SGU podcasts shows that even when people are actively trying to be skeptics they still catch themselves shortcutting to opinions. Let me ask you this. Take something you believe 100%, how much evidence the other way will it take for your opinion to change? Now imagine that item is somehow part of your identity. It's not an easy fight every single day. The reason I bring this up is instead of saying 'some of these people', it's better to say all of us.

hnbro 10y ago

do you have "strong political views"?

tfigment 10y ago

While I partially agree, some of these people will also actively ignore information when presented and do not have a skeptical mind. Many people do not change their mind after they first form an opinion on a subject or it takes a lot of effort to change it afterwords. Forming opinions quickly and never revisiting the underlying assumptions, I would argue can be dangerous as well and is probably more normal that either of us care to acknowledge. Some people are in very high positions of power and can make decisions that impact peoples lives. Ignoring them and letting them do whatever they want may not always lead to good outcomes. But I will agree that purely ruminating on it does not improve one's situation.

matwood 10y ago
Practicing skepticism and always being analytical is a lot of work. Listening to the SGU podcasts shows that even when people are actively trying to be skeptics they still catch themselves shortcutting to opinions. Let me ask you this. Take something you believe 100%, how much evidence the other way will it take for your opinion to change? Now imagine that item is somehow part of your identity. It's not an easy fight every single day. The reason I bring this up is instead of saying 'some of these people', it's better to say all of us.