The following is a 3 message exchange between 4 users
@ISIDEWITH5mos5MO
What's your immediate reaction when someone defends an ideology with a history of violence?
@9J6TH42 5mos5MO
My immediate reaction is that the person defending the ideology has been throwing their ideas around in an echo chamber of people who also think this way. I think this person should have more exposure to other types of people, learn more about the world and what that ideology actually means, and do some more reflection afterward. I think attacking them and saying they're stupid or evil doesn't solve anything. Very few people believe they are evil or perpetuating evil, and so if you tell them they are, they will automatically discount your opinion. As hard as it is, you have to listen, understand their points, and begin a slow process of picking it apart and providing counterpoints. There's not a quick solution when someone is indoctrinated, but patience and kindness will often win out.
@9J6V5LL5mos5MO
Discontent often correlates with disappointment in the failure of the American dream. It doesn’t exist anymore. Conspiracy-thinking and polarization often relies on the “certainty” of the proposed solution without further examining the “enemy’s” stance. It provides the comfort of an absolute and neglects to recognize nuance of structural problems.
