Are “Them” Really a Threat?
We all get stuck in political mud-slinging and dichotometric thinking, but do we really understand why? Our nation’s politicians could benefit from a lesson in Alfred Korzybski’s “Science and Sanity.” As it turns out — the word is not always the thing! Wouldn’t it be nice if every American had a working knowledge of this concept? Taking a peek at that distinction between words and things can help inform our view on bias and prejudice and create insight into why we struggle to see our counterparts’ perspectives. It’s time to apply some common sense to understand each other that doesn’t involve a “Kumbaya” interaction session.
When we get stuck in dichotometric thinking, we forget that words are symbols and don’t necessarily reflect reality. We assume that when someone uses a term or phrase they are speaking the same language as us; however, this isn’t always the case. Even if two people use precisely the same words with precisely the same definitions, chances are that their underlying understanding of what those words mean is vastly different due to personal experiences, cultural context or varying levels of education. It’s much easier to become “lost in translation” when our focus is on getting the other person to agree with us instead of trying to understand them.
Dichotomies also foster an ‘us-versus-them’ attitude which alienates those who think differently than us. By assigning people to either/or categories, we ignore the diversity of opinions and experiences that exist between ‘sides’. Instead of trying to pigeon-hole people into one set of beliefs or another, it is essential to recognize our shared humanity and seek out common ground. In the absence of education on conscious language use, positions on complex issues become polarized. Political enemies are created as people take sides without looking at evidence or exploring other perspectives. Prejudice creeps in, irrational beliefs abound and useful dialogue disappears!
Let me illustrate dichotomies using the example of liberalism and conservatism. It’s like when your granddaddy likes his coffee black and your grandma likes hers with a splash of cream. Two very different preferences, but you love them both just the same. That’s kinda like how liberals and conservatives are. They have opposite beliefs about how things should be done, but they both want what’s best for their country. Now, imagine if we could all just sit down and have a good ol’ cup of joe together, black or with cream, and hash out our differences like civilized folks. Maybe we could find a way to make things work for everybody. Ain’t that a sweet thought?
You know how politicians love to stir the pot and get folks riled up? One of their favorite tactics is using what we call “dichotometric thinking.” Now, I know that’s a big ol’ word, but don’t let it spook you. It just means dividing things into two clear-cut categories, like good vs. evil or black vs. white. The problem is that the world just ain’t that simple. But when politicians use buzzwords that play up these false dichotomies, it can make folks feel like they have to pick a side — and that’s just what those politicians want. Take a look around and you’ll see it everywhere. “Us vs. them.” “Right vs. wrong.” “Patriots vs. traitors.” Instead of promoting thoughtful discussion and compromise, these dichotomies polarize us and leave no room for nuanced debate. So next time you hear a politician using this kind of language, remember — it’s just a sneaky way to get folks all worked up.
Dichotomous thinking is a dangerous tool when used by politicians or other authority figures. It obscures the complexity of real issues and prevents us from having meaningful discourse on important matters. We need to remember that language shapes our understanding of the world, and we should always be conscious about how words are used. With this in mind, let’s make an effort to promote more open conversations and to listen carefully to different perspectives with an open mind. Only then can we come together as a society and find solutions that work for everyone.
Forging Agreement’s newest on-demand workshop is available on Teachable now. Learn more about the ideas that John introduces in his blogs in the Program Theory On-Demand Workshop!
One way to think about how your mind works is to consider it as a biocomputer. It has an operating system and different types of applications and programs that run when called, in similar fashion to a regular computer. The results of this workshop will give you new ways to consider your own beliefs, emotions, feelings and logical thoughts and how you can choose to modify them to meet your own requirements.
The workshop combines a series of on-demand videos with group discussions. Program Theory is taught by John Worthington and Paul Grenci. Contact @forgingagreement on Facebook or Instagram or email [email protected] for more information!
The most recent online Reality Creation Through the Dyad Workshop has just wrapped up. The Dyad workshop is an exploration into the relationship that exists between two people- any two people. A Dyadic relationship can be with a spouse, significant other, business partner, co-workers, family members, etc. These relationships can be wonderful and challenging all at the same time, but that is the beauty of relationships; traversing the good, the bad and everything in between.
In this interactive workshop, couples/individuals are afforded the opportunity to examine ever so common problems and tried and true solutions that guarantee an ongoing relationship if one is warranted.
This workshop will be happening on a monthly basis and runs over 2 weeks of 4 consecutive evenings. Contact @forgingagreement on Facebook or Instagram or email [email protected] for more information!
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