Michael Cloud's Six Warning Signs of an Empty, Pointless Political Discussion

[MrBogosity]

Definitely keep this in mind when having political discussions:

Do You Know These Six Warning Signs of an Empty, Pointless Political Discussion?
by Michael Cloud

We're surrounded by political debates and discussions. On cable TV, talk radio, websites, blogs, and social gatherings.

Would you like to be able to quickly recognize the empty and pointless discussions -- so you won't waste your time on them?

Here are the warning signs.

1. Is either side comparing the other to Hitler or Stalin? To communists or fascists? To the Holocaust or genocide?

When they compare people or positions today to irredeemably evil groups and events in history -- they've lost their sense of proportion.

2. Is either side political name-calling, rather than offering evidence and argument? Are they simply labeling a viewpoint as "socialist" or "reactionary" or "selfish" or "greedy" or "progressive" or "ultra-liberal" or "self-serving conservative" or "ideological" or "extremist" or "radical"?

3. Is either side trying to expose and explain the motives and twisted psychology of their opponents? Rather than addressing the other side's evidence and argument, are they trying to explain the sick reasons why people believe such obvious nonsense?

4. Is either side impugning the honesty or rationality or morality of the other side?

5. Is either side accusing the other of being too stupid to understand the issue?

6. Is either side trying to shout down the other? Monopolize speaking time?
Repeatedly interrupt when the other side is speaking?

What do you do when you encounter these 6 warning signs? What's the remedy?

Change the channel, turn it off, click to a better site, or just walk away.

Look for a thoughtful political conversation. There are plenty of them. And that's where you can get a fair and thoughtful hearing for liberty.

--From The Liberator Online, 15(11), 13 July 2010

[Gumba Masta]

That does sound like you're describing some of the political debates in my country.

[VectorM]

That's every YouTube debate ever.