When Foley asked me to write a column for a couple of months I thought to myself, “600 words or so? No problem!”
Then it took me 5 days to finish the first one and I realized that 600 words a week is a lot more than 600 words, one time. I don’t know how these guys do it! It would be easier to just record everything I say out loud for a week, transcribe it, and let Foley assemble something out of it. Dang it. I always have the best ideas post-negotiation.
I must have thick skin and a good sense of humor to not get all worked up about being referred to as a “conspiracy-filled pro-Trump/COVID-denying friend” by Foley. If this is the role I must play, I’ll accept it. I mean, I’m not gonna sit around and let you or anyone else think I’m happy with where things are in America right now.
Exhibit A – Here’s a text message exchange with Foley on Thanksgiving:
Foley: I’m thankful for conspiracy theorists.
Me: I’m thankful for opposition. Even if it’s fake or scripted.
Foley: You’re now part of the fake news industry. Trump’s gonna cut you off his email list.
Me: I’m not pro Trump, I’m anti-sh**ty 401K profits.
Foley: Yeah that’s a problem.
I share this private exchange so you can have a better understanding of how/why I’ve been mischaracterized in a friendly, playful manner.
I’m not really a political person. Well, that’s what I said pre-COVID. But after that fiasco and turning 50 in the process, I realized a few things about myself and the world around me. Allow me to elaborate.
“Misinformation” is not a new concept. People have been telling lies since the dawn of time. It’s one of the Ten Commandments, for crying out loud.
Just because someone says something – even if they have a big fancy title in their name or organization – doesn’t mean they are telling the truth in its entirety. I realize common sense is a dying art, but let’s not forget you do have the ability to exercise your own judgment. Simply ask yourself whether what they’re saying jibes with observable reality.
The bigger the entity, the more politics and manipulation it will have inside it. This goes for businesses, government, and sports organizations, just to name a few. You have to understand that it’s human nature to have an agenda. For example, just imagine the internal shenanigans that take place at The Landmark. Large staff, bloated salaries, and massive egos. Trust me.
I don’t even know what a “conspiracy” or a “conspiracy theorist” is anymore. That’s another term that’s lost its way recently. Just because someone has different thoughts than you on a subject doesn’t make it a conspiracy. What DOES make it a conspiracy is when they start putting outlandish assumptions inside their opinions. I do my best to speak in facts and reality and from there use common sense to come up with an opinion.
And I try not to develop that opinion to fit around my own personal narrative. You have to be objective inside your own head – and it’s not an easy task.
There’s a huge difference between someone expressing their differing opinion and them being hateful and threatening. Do people get too worked up sometimes? Yes. But they’re not going to tweet you to death. You’re not in danger. Trying to silence alternative opinions online is equivalent to a child sticking his fingers in his ears screaming “Na-na-na-na-boo-boo!”
We don’t have to agree with each other. We don’t even have to listen to each other. But we should be more tolerant of each other and actually have the patience to try and understand why someone feels a certain way. I’ve found this much easier to do in person than online. And even then it is difficult. Believe me, I know. It’s emotionally taxing to encounter points of view you don’t agree with.
It’s also extremely difficult to do your own critical thinking. But I believe it’s worth it in order to continue living in this free society we’ve got here. Let’s not destroy it by ganging up on each other.
As I’ve said in a previous column – our minds are the only thing we have control of in this world. No one can take your thoughts away from you. But you can certainly enrich your own by listening to and learning from others.
(Email columnist Brad Carl at bradjcarl@gmail.com)
