It's very interesting to watch the response from people when you challenge their behavior.
For example, criticizing adult themes on TV during hours that children may be watching. The response, of course, is "I'm not responsible for your kids, and you have an option: Change the channel."
It's the same indignation at play when you root for the wrong team, challenge the values of someone's country or church or school, debate the size of the soft drink you can buy with your burger, or define the girth threshold that determines when one passenger has to buy two airline tickets.
<rhetorical>
Something's wrong here. I have just as much right to express an opinion on these things as you do. What entitles you to be indignant?
Is it because we disagree? No, that can't be it. We disagree on all sorts of things that we don't argue about: good and bad movies, favorite colors or desserts, etc.
Is it because I'm wrong? No, that can't be it. I'm wrong plenty of times and you aren't indignant on those occasions.
Is it because you think I've judged your moral choices? Yes, I think that's it. You're responding to an implication, not an assertion, and that's why it's very difficult for unreasonable people to reason through disagreements.
Indignation is unhelpful. All that reasonable folks are usually asking for is a little consensus and a kumbaya moment. No one's trying to take away your legal poison or perversion or predilection, just as I wish to keep mine, such as they are; they wish only to manage the ramifications of allowing/disallowing/regulating behaviors, products, ideas, etc.
(Guns, for example, or liquor sales near a school zone, or leaf burning in autumn, or what type of corporal punishment qualifies as child abuse, etc.)
Don't get your undies in a bunch.
</rhetorical>
[2014-11-06]
c0
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