5 ms·

I wouldn't describe the cliche post-highschool hard left swing of someone with a sheltered upbringing as "broadening". I don't mean to be too dismissive, but I

I wouldn't describe the cliche post-highschool hard left swing of someone with a sheltered upbringing as "broadening". I don't mean to be too dismissive, but I spent enough time in a university town after my own graduation to see this trajectory play out a number of times. Kids come in, and adopt a new set of ideas that suit their new environment just as blindly as they adopted ideas compatible with their previous environment. Before I make it sound too much like I'm painting with a broad brush, I expect people's political positions to change around this time. There is a difference between a position someone can articulate from their first principles, and someone that sounds like they're repeating the media they picked those positions up from. I'd rather have a productive disagreement than talk to someone I agree with that can't show their thought process. Eventually they might have their mind broadened. But it's not guaranteed. And if they discover pot when they got to the university and/or internalize their change of heart as a 2nd rebellion against their parents, it'll take a few extra years.

jon_richards 8y ago
99% of his post is about learning new things. >hard left swing
- finnthehuman 8y ago
  I mean, it's the swing that's hard, not the positions. That's why I said the bit about positions I support but with but reasoning I can't. But in retrospect that distinction wasn't that clear, my writing is almost as muddled as when I speak out loud. jedberg didn't spill out the terrible recent-convert gobbledygook I'm used to hearing. Maybe he's did it right, or maybe he's adult-ed up his standing in the meantime, but it fits the mold and was as good a place as any to talk about the archetype.
derangedHorse 8y ago
You definitely are “painting with a broad brush” As someone who has also spent a lot of time in a college environment I disagree that students blindly accept new positions to suit what’s around them. In fact, I would say a change in opinion shows they were not only able to take in new information, but also make the personal decision to change firmly held values that no longer make sense.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]

jon_richards 8y ago

99% of his post is about learning new things. >hard left swing

finnthehuman 8y ago
I mean, it's the swing that's hard, not the positions. That's why I said the bit about positions I support but with but reasoning I can't. But in retrospect that distinction wasn't that clear, my writing is almost as muddled as when I speak out loud. jedberg didn't spill out the terrible recent-convert gobbledygook I'm used to hearing. Maybe he's did it right, or maybe he's adult-ed up his standing in the meantime, but it fits the mold and was as good a place as any to talk about the archetype.

derangedHorse 8y ago

You definitely are “painting with a broad brush” As someone who has also spent a lot of time in a college environment I disagree that students blindly accept new positions to suit what’s around them. In fact, I would say a change in opinion shows they were not only able to take in new information, but also make the personal decision to change firmly held values that no longer make sense.

deleted 8y ago
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