2)The reason that understanding people's subjectivity is so crucial is because once I am able to see what has shaped them I can more accurately see what has shaped me. I used to think that if someone's beliefs didn't match up with mine they were biased (by choice or birth) by something in their thought process, making their opinion illegitimate. An example would be religion; if someone was to base their actions and opinions off of the bible I would call them a god fearing dumbass, but now I am starting to see that in their subjectivity, living by the bible is the only plan of action. When I spot things like religious bias I start to see my own bias'; non-religious, young, white, male, American, middle class, strait, etc. My metaphor is, its like going to the zoo and looking in every exhibit with curiosity instead of walking down a hallway of closed doors. Once I am able to see that I am shaped by so many external stimuli, the lines between who's right and who's wrong start to blur.
3) This has altered my actions with the world by instead of disregarding people with "abnormal" actions of beliefs, I now want to know more about what they think/do. This won't always change what I think, but I learn a lot more about the world and the people in it when I listen instead of talk. This played out in class mainly during our stint with apnotemnophilia. We all thought that these people were crazy, but when you see the number of people with the same desire the right and wrong fence starts to get some holes in it. Being open to ideas that contradict my core convictions and assumptions creates a multitude of new life paths that are available to me.
Jack: that's something that I've really had to work on as well, being open to contradictory ideologies. I like how Ben describes his reactions as "knee-jerk" yet he attempts to hold them back for the sake of a healthy, level-headed public forum.
ReplyDeleteEx-science warrior speaking: people that contradict us aren't always idiots; they may be even more intelligent than we are, and it's up to *us* to exhibit patience and restraint. Just wait it out and fairly let them present their point of view. If they're right, you'll learn something, and everybody benefits; you, them, and those who are observing your exchange. If they're wrong, allow them to make an ass out of themselves by outlining in public exactly how they're wrong. A furious rant that shuts down debate isn't going to change anybody's mind.
With few exceptions we probably all want the same things. It's most productive to focus on our similarities; it wastes everybody's time to fight about our differences, as more often than not they are trivial.
It was especially interesting to hear Jenny talk about her professor that said “if you don’t think the way I do, you are an idiot”. In this situation, one would need to consider where the person is coming from to say such a thing. Knowing more will only benefit you in the long run. I have always tried to be the type of person to look at any situation from other points of view. I think this is very important for our generation to do in order to decrease hostility that is created because of all of our differences.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you are summing up exactly what I said but in different words. I couldn't agree with you any more. This class definitely makes you step back from your beliefs, viewpoints, etc. and evaluate others for more than just their content...but why they are what they are. And I think once you do that, or at least what I have found, is that you really re-evaluate your own.
ReplyDeleteI once had a professor who referred to our "personal belief system" as our personal BS... and CSCL 3331has taught me that that is exactly what it is. Nothing more than a whole bunch of BS.
I REALLY want on BS's to be more than BS. They're really real. And I'm with Jack in trying to be a little more empathetic--even when what I hear feels like total BS.
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