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In reply to the discussion: Can someone help me understand my wing nut friends? [View all]MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)8. To put it simply, Cognitive Dissonance
Last edited Thu Sep 13, 2012, 01:44 PM - Edit history (3)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonanceThese are people who have already held a certain set of beliefs. You probably never ran into any problem with them prior to the election of the President.
However, they're having to deal with a set of preexisting belief in negative stereotypes about Democrats, Liberals and minorities and the fact that none of these descriptions can be applied to the President in real life.
In turn, they seek out media voices that reenforce the stereotypes through the use of lies and mischaracterizations, but since they ONLY depend on those sources of information, there's an automatic rejection of information to the contrary. To process contrary information would mean that they would have to reassess those preexisting stereotypes and admit that that their moral beliefs and understanding of the world around them is completely wrong.
The problem that you have here is that you and your friends both have a fundamental difference of opinion about how the world actually works.
Whether or not you can cope with this difference is up to you. If you can avoid conflict over these issues and still maintain a cordial relationship, I can't answer that. Only you can.
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If you think that's weird wait until you meet the contingent of pro-Obama folks
Nuclear Unicorn
Sep 2012
#1
Your option to remain friends. Depends upon if your position bothers *them*.
no_hypocrisy
Sep 2012
#5
They may be afraid of change - fear that it is not for the better..
socialindependocrat
Sep 2012
#26
I'd stay friends but every once in a while to maintain sanity and because you might make
treestar
Sep 2012
#20
Just tell them you cannot be friends with bigots who have hate in their heart.
Ian David
Sep 2012
#27
I'm going to be visiting an Aunt and Uncle in the next couple of weeks......
Swede Atlanta
Sep 2012
#28
How can we expect those folks to be normal after watching Fox day after day?
marions ghost
Sep 2012
#39
Can you be with them an not discuss politics? I worked with a woman like that for many years.
jillan
Sep 2012
#46
Personally, I couldn't do it, but it sounds like you have more tolerance for that sort of stuff.
Arugula Latte
Sep 2012
#47
If you like bigoted people and think that's 'truly nice' then don't know what to tell you.
Bluenorthwest
Sep 2012
#54
I can't look at Drudge/Fox, but I do read the WSJ - it is maddening, but I do it.
reformist2
Sep 2012
#68
The WSJ is turning hard right, but the good news is their arguments are more pathetic than ever.
reformist2
Sep 2012
#70