Richard is actually on the phone with that asshat who called him a retard (see "Attn Wal-Mart Shoppers"). I couldn't resist saying "Get some help" rather loudly as I walked past.
To my mind, there's no point trying to communicate meaningfully with someone who has so much growing up to do. Like a lot of 9/11 Truthers and other conspiracists, this guy believes the loudest and nastiest will triumph. He thinks that interrupting a Bill Maher show is a valid, effective way to get information across, for example. He will never be a first draft pick for the Sanity League.
To sum all this up, there's a divide forming in the 9/11 Truth movement between no-holds-barred, hotheaded Alex Jones types and people like Richard who want to convey information in civil, quiet ways. I think this is mirrored in our society - you have the Bill O'Reilly types who just try to shout down anyone who doesn't share their worldview, and you have the Noam Chomsky types who give you the facts as they see them and say "Take 'em or leave 'em." I don't have to tell you which camp I'm in. But what I really want to see, in activist circles and everywhere else, is mature and restrained dialogue among people with opposing views. There can be no growth without that.
A Few of My Favourite YouTube Channels
3 years ago
4 comments:
Well, I'm with ya. I get emails from certain people saying derogatory things about my viewpoint, or trying to get me to change my views, which won't happen. All the emails really do is piss me off because it's the person's way of not accepting that people can think different things.
I know what you mean. After an hour of talking on the phone, this guy couldn't comprehend that he might be in the wrong. Must be nice to know everything, eh?
We've created a very rude society.
Generally speaking, those people who are unwilling to entertain alternative views are too insecure in their own beliefs to risk having them challenged. Usually these beliefs hinge on one or two pivotal points, that, if challenged, make the entire belief structure break down - so they protect those one or two key beliefs no matter what "logic" it takes.
True. And I'm learning that it's as true among 9/11 Truthers and peace activists and conspiracy theorists as in any other belief group - you'd think folks with a minority POV would want to stick together, but they have as much pride as anyone else.
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