General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A poll for you: I am a Medea Benjamin supporter and I . . . [View all]patrice
(47,992 posts)probably most, such acts are, in fact, a product of slavery/programming, often reactionary responses DEFINED by the behavior and attitudes of others, not independent.
All of us have strong inclinations to either lie or be mistaken about what freedom actually is. I make an effort to avoid that myself, but that NEVER obviates my responsibility to recognize the possibility that I could be either lying to myself or mistaken. And that is what I call on others to do too, instead of engaging in these god-like absolutist proclamations of THE TRUTH and punishing ALL others who see things differently.
That's why this cliquey stuff that goes on here with all of the insults is so evil. You can't figure out if you're lying to yourself or mistaken unless you are open to DIFFERENT others as a basis of comparison for why you behave/think/feel as you do, which then allows one to decide whether one is being valid or not and, then, to adapt/change if necessary. This is called learning and certain dimensions of the environment here at the DU are hostile to it.