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But ultimately in those alienating conclusions you were _right_, how do we forget this? What does it make us to disregard uncomfortable truths?
by mattsfrey 7y ago
But ultimately in those alienating conclusions you were _right_, how do we forget this? What does it make us to disregard uncomfortable truths?
- kd5bjo 7y agoIt’s not about disregarding uncomfortable truths, it’s recognizing that speaking truth in an uncomfortable way accomplishes very little. To get someone to change their behavior, you need to first show them that you understand their perspective, even if you disagree with it. Otherwise, they’ll mentally dismiss your arguments as coming from a different tribe without really listening— emotions and group identity are very strong psycological forces, so you need to take them into account when crafting your own actions.
- mattsfrey 7y agoA nuanced response, but my main point is about self censorship, what does one do if ultimately their conclusion is contradictory to their opponents. Acquiesce to maintain the peace or state their claim? I personally will always back truth regardless of its comfort to the audience whoever they might be
- Pfhreak 7y agoPragmatically, you will achieve less this way. Eventually, you will hit the limits of others tolerance for what they will perceive as arrogance. Perhaps this is of little concern to you, but if you absolutely want to maximize your accomplishments, you must be sufficiently flexible so that when you do speak truth it carries weight and import.
- stochastastic 7y agoThis sounds like how I used to think. A question from a mentor of mine: what does being right accomplish?
- lostjohnny 7y ago> what does being right accomplish? Not being wrong. Which is often bad, sometimes very bad, like "you're dead" bad or "you killed somebody else" bad. Being right is just like epidemic prevention or vaccines: if they work, you don't even notice.