Saturday, February 18, 2017

Distinctions


Much of our world's problems arise due to our inability or unwillingness to make distinctions ... often due to lazy thinking combined with purposeful misdirection. For instance note the following items that are often conflated ... quite often on purpose:

Illegal vs. legal immigration

What people say vs. do

Religious fervor vs. zealotry

Hyperbole vs. lying

Rap vs. music

Free speech vs. sedition

Satire vs. mockery

Economic self interest vs. greed

Refinement vs. preciousness

Mental illness vs. mental retardation

Compassion vs. grandstanding

Just war vs. aggression

Pro choice vs. pro abortion

Colonialism vs. outreach

News reporting vs. advocacy


Can you see where we go wrong with just these few?

6 comments:

ChillFin said...

Yes! Except for a couple of those in your list.
How about:
Greenhorn vs amateur
Rookie mistakes vs incompetent
Supportive staff vs sycophants


"When Trumpistanians say ______, they are actually referring to ___________."

DEN said...

Dishonest media vs dishonest administration.
I inherited a mess vs I'm making a mess.
Hillary's email server VS Trump's unsecured cellphone.
I love wikileaks vs criminal leaks are bad.
Lost confidence in Flynn vs He was doing his job.
we could go on for hours....

DEN said...

All this list shows is that distinctions exist in the mind of the beholder.

George W. Potts said...

As always ...

George W. Potts said...

Do you know that Trump is using his cell phone for secure communications? I thought not ...
Wikileaks was reporting leaks on the DNC and Podesta. The leaks Trump is complaining about are from his secure White House phone ... big difference and quite dangerous.

DEN said...

Actually yes, untill last week after the "leaks" he was using an insecure cell phone that could have been hacked to serve as a microphone to any discussions in the room.