Odd People

[H2O Man]

33. Interesting.

There are, of course, a number of ways that people understand and thus view things. It is not restricted to "intelligence" or if a person is "hood." Let's take a brief look at what can be applied in general to the way that different people understand things, and thus take positions. It is something that applies to human beings throughout modern history.

Let's consider the example of even the topics discussed on this forum, but in the wider context of our society. A person might:
1: find it interesting, but not know enough about it to have a firm opinion;
2: not understand it, because it is not reduced to a meme or bumper-sticker;
3: understand it correctly, but recognize that there are other rqually valid ways to understand it;
4: understand it correctly, but lack the ability to accept that different perspectives are equally valid;
5: not have a clue, but be certain that they and those who agree with them are right.

1 and 3 have overall advantages in a greater number of situations. 2 are not prone to adding value to any discussion. 4 provides proof that my late friend Rubin was correct in saying that those who lack the ability to compare are restricting in their ability to understand. And 5, of course, are just obnoxious.

Now let's consider the primary overlap between groups 4 and 5: they are convinced that those who do not view things just as they do, are either ignorant fools or purposeful liars. We see this in the most pathetic examples of sov cits, be they on the roadside or in court. They believe in the superstitions and conspiracies handed down through the fenerations, exactly as noted in te linked film.

Also, that film provides a wonderful vehicle that allows group 4 to "travel" to greater understanding. As it notes, while there are many similarities within the sov cit groups, there are differences. "Moor," some of the exact same cognitive limitations -- not restricted to raw intelligence -- are found in an array of other groups. There may be one or two degrees of difference, or other times a greater number. But their inability to compare, to understand, and to realize their opinion is not the only valid one, might best be viewed in a context similar to Piaget's teachings on object permanence.

But I wrote about Piaget a week ago.