I had a bit of an \u201ca-ha\u201d this week. I think I finally figured it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, the reasonable among us have sensed an increasingly significant problem with the polarized ends. Respect has wavered; the rancor has intensified. The far left\/far right no longer see any good in the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow did America get this way?\u201d chided Elizabeth Kolbert in The New Yorker.<\/em> \u201cPartisans have a simple answer: the other side has gone nuts!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Insert LOL here\u2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And just like that the polarized ends point the finger at someone other than self. Partisans do it. Administrations do it. Unfortunately, the elementary prudence repeatedly conveyed by our parents that \u201cyou-own-up-to-what-you-do\u201d hasn\u2019t filtered up to way too many partisans and politicians. It\u2019s simply easier to blame someone else. Them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A frequent Intramuralist conversation has focused on the damage of the adult finger pointing. But my \u201ca-ha\u201d this week more centered on the why\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why<\/em><\/strong> is there a problem with the polarized?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As much as I cringe actually admitting such \u2014 not wanting to fuel either of the opposites\u2019s heedless, hell-bent fire (aka points of view) \u2014 most likely the far left and far right may each have a sensible approach on<\/em> some, maybe very few<\/em><\/strong> things. <\/em>For let\u2019s admit: even a stopped clock is right twice a day (as I was also oft reminded in elementary school).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both the far left\/far right make excuses for protests\/protestors they like. Both make excuses for gerrymandering that works in their favor. Both make excuses for borrowing and spending massive amounts of money. Both, in other words, make excuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok. Got it. I hear you; you\u2019ve heard this before here. But what\u2019s new to me this week is why<\/em> this matters. I mean, it\u2019s ok to be passionate. It\u2019s ok to have strong feelings. There are many convictions I, also, strongly adhere to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But when we only adhere to a far left or far right perspective \u2014 and believe only the others have gone nuts \u2014 why is that a problem? What\u2019s the value in the middle?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve heard some insightful descriptions of that middle\u2026 \u201cthe radical middle\u201d\u2026 \u201cthe messy middle\u201d\u2026 In truth it isn\u2019t all that radical, and it doesn\u2019t need to be so messy. I think it\u2019s just that the extremes are really, really loud, and they\u2019d like to convince us there is no wisdom or reason in hanging out in someplace other than a polarized, isolated camp. They\u2019d like to convince us that the other side is so dangerous\u2026 and they, of course, are the only solution to save us from the ills and evils of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They, my friends, entirely miss what the middle provides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hear me here\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The middle is where shared experience takes place.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (Feel free to read that again.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n From author, renowned business strategist and executive trainer, Bryan Kramer: \u201cA shared experience is exactly what it sounds like: seeing, hearing, or doing the same thing as someone else. Although it\u2019s a simple concept, shared experiences have a deep impact on human socialization because they enhance each person\u2019s individual experience\u2026 Shared experiences are powerful because they bring people together\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The middle, friends, is where we learn about other people. And not just a select, isolated few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the fringe \u2014 on those polarized opposites where we justify the protests\/protestors, gerrymandering, massive spending and the like \u2014 they aren\u2019t learning about most of the people; with all due respect, they\u2019re only learning about people who already think like them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know this isn\u2019t easy. It\u2019d be far easier to camp in a polarized place; it\u2019s comfortable there. I no longer have to consider whose wants and needs I\u2019m ignoring when I remained firmly entrenched on a polarized fringe. And no doubt, the pandemic exasperated the entire scenario, as our isolation only increased. But that doesn\u2019t make it wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shared experience is wise. It expands our thinking. It makes us aware of the understandable differences of opinion \u2014 even passionate differences. But while differences of opinion are society\u2019s reality, division \u2014 intentional polarization and the thinking of others as nuts \u2014 is a choice. That choice is a lot harder make in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I had a bit of an \u201ca-ha\u201d this week. I think I finally figured it out. In recent years, the reasonable among us have sensed an increasingly significant problem with the polarized ends. Respect has wavered; the rancor has intensified. The far left\/far right no longer see any good in the other. \u201cHow did America … <\/p>\n