Principles Vs. Pragmatism

Something I thought of today-or read somewhere, and think I thought of it-was a distinction of Principles and Pragmatism. To make a sweeping generalization, I think what we call 'right wing' people are too obsessed with Principle-they often support policies without really thinking about the people that will be hurt by them, just because they are the right thing to do.

On the other hand, 'left wing' people tend to be all about pragmatism-let's just keep everybody fed and happy. Sometimes, though, they support things that will hurt people and society in the long run, to make them feel better now.

Anyway, just a thought...

Principles Vs. Pragmatism

Something I thought of today-or read somewhere, and think I thought of it-was a distinction of Principles and Pragmatism. To make a sweeping generalization, I think what we call 'right wing' people are too obsessed with Principle-they often support policies without really thinking about the people that will be hurt by them, just because they are the right thing to do.

On the other hand, 'left wing' people tend to be all about pragmatism-let's just keep everybody fed and happy. Sometimes, though, they support things that will hurt people and society in the long run, to make them feel better now.

Anyway, just a thought...

Catch Phrases/Sound Bites

One unfortunate aspect of the polarization of our society, I think, is that people argue using catch phrases, or sound bites... some people sound like tape recorders, ejecting random statistics or arguments that have nothing to do with the topic into any argument with a dreaded 'liberal', 'conservative', or 'fundamentalist'...

It's a lot easier to come up with catchy little sound bites, and label the other person, then to actually listen to what they say, and try to deal with it... We all do it, of course, I just thought I'd complain about it, I guess...

More!

Eh, I should post more-I have this link posted too many places. Unfortunately, though, writing the book and going to school, along with working and family stuff, tends to eat the old brain.

But, what's going on in the world? I'm getting pretty sick of the election stuff already-seems like there's got to be something more important going on, especially so many months out. But, that's Democracy, take it or leave it, I guess.

It's strange to think about how much the rest of the (non-western) world, who worry about being killed, have no modern medicine, and have to scrape for food, must think about stuff like this... They must think its pretty stupid. Another reason not to like America, sigh.

Cynical

The internet's starting to make me cynical, I think. I just get sooo tired of seeing the same old arguments and catchphrases sometimes.... and everyone uses them like they're new! Especially skeptical/atheist arguments... I've heard about pi being 3 and whatnot for what seems like decades... I end up going off on people, as if they personally are the ones who annoyed me, which isn't very fair. I have to be more patient.