Adventures in Information
I read over a nice piece on seeker.com regarding the notion that we who are curious about science are more open minded regarding political issues. It went on to state that such people could advance ideas if recruited for larger group discussions. |
Sometimes I think my political views are rather polarized. This is the results of feeling betrayed by the second Obama administration with his intential side stepping of the law to gain various political ends.
However, just because your opinion may differ from mine I surely do not hold any intrinsic fault with it — for indeed, the dissenting view is necessary for any modicum of well rounded data amassing operations and as the French note, vive la difference ... my personal view being that if we were all alike the bulk of us would be unnecessary.
So reasoning proficiency which is also apolitical is a boon attribute because being able to set aside bias in the pursuit of new ideas HAS to result in disagreeing more agreeably.
My interest has always been in the novel approach to any set of problems and I will never be the one to cast aside a valid idea just because I may disagree. Controversy doesn't always follow me as it once did and I attribute this to an ability to set aside my preconceived notions and evaluate what another says with an open mind without automatically flying off the handle prior to getting the facts or understanding the point being made.
I engage others while attempting empathetic understanding of the person's position relative to the stance being taken. I try to be cognizant of any personal weaknesses regarding the topical data under discussion. Finally, I try to keep my emotions in check and maintain an open mind for the duration.
This results in significant questions — not those arising from some errant defensive posture that can be counterproductive and places me an a position to entertain subjects with which I may be less comfortable yet still function optimally and engage provocative interactions and subjects without personal provocation. I shoot for a reasonable level of tact and poise ... in other words, my advancing age has taught me to at least TRY to be a good listener. I lacked this early on and it plagued me a long time.