[andsoitis]

This bit is particularly wise:

Perhaps I could phrase this better, but I’ve become hyper-aware that folks rarely change their minds (opens new window). The level of polarisation around Brexit, BLM, Covid 19, politics, climate change, trans rights, etc is huge, and to put a dog in each and every fight is exhausting. Rather than stumble clumsily in, I’ll take the time to learn about something privately, and consider the various views. I try to replace reaction with reflection, frustration with patience, and opinions with questions; it’s genuinely useful to see something from another’s perspective. The downside is I engage far less, but life is infinitely more peaceful.

[ParetoOptimal]

> The level of polarisation around Brexit, BLM, Covid 19, politics, climate change, trans rights, etc is huge

> The downside is I engage far less, but life is infinitely more peaceful.

I get this and I've had a version of this happen in my life.

However I constantly keep going back to and reflecting on the privileges that allow me to choose not to engage with Black Lives Matter or trans rights.

And trying to figure out how I feel about the inverse, meaning people who have the privilege to ignore something I can't like Covid 19.

I guess the tone of this makes me uncomfortable because it would be very easy for someone to put their head in the sand and disconnect from life or death struggles of others?

[nibnon]

BLM is an interesting one because the problems the US has with race don't really translate well to other countries. Seems like the author lives in the UK, where we have our own distinct racial issues that have very little overlap with the BLM movement over the pond.

The 'trans rights' one is also a curiosity because not that many people will know a transgendered person, and even if they do, it's unclear what actual rights they think they are fighting for. Whereas everyone has women and girls in their lives who will be negatively affected by men trying to impose themselves in their spaces and not respecting their boundaries.

[TedDoesntTalk]

> replace reaction with reflection, frustration with patience, and opinions with questions

An effect of mindfulness or meditation: one learns not to react to emotions but to watch emotions come and go. One learns curiosity.