Diversity. When the woke use the word “diversity,” they mean people who look different but think alike. For example, a diverse hiring pool would include people who look different, but have nearly identical opinions about social, cultural, and political issues. A black conservative would not be a diverse candidate, because even though a black conservative looks different from the majority group, he doesn’t subscribe to the woke worldview. Ultimately, when you hear the word “diversity,” translate that as: a desire for superficial differences while holding an identical worldview.
I'm at a loss as well and would love to understand how to overcome this problem. I'm seeing it lately in the controversy over COVID (not wanting to rehash that here). Most friends simply refuse to consider any information that doesn't come from mainstream media, insisting they're following "the science" while having no idea what the data actually is. I had a long conversation with a friend last night in which he said he'd believe it when data came out to support it, but totally ignored the data I sent him. What he actually meant was he'd believe it when mainstream media reports on it. It results in a vicious cycle: people don't believe you because they claim your sources aren't trustworthy, not realizing those sources exist precisely because there is a mainstream media blackout on anything that contradicts the narrative. It feels like shouting into the void, you can present facts and data all day long but they simply don't land. Whereas I'm happy to read the mainstream sources people send me. We really are living in parallel realities and it seems to be getting worse. I have no idea how to bridge the gap.
I believe that an honest and truthful conversation in today’s divisive environment takes more effort than most are willing to invest.
I’m a father who has 2 kids that received undergraduate degrees, one in California State, the other in University of California. They both graduated within the last 5 years. The level of progressive indoctrination was/is alarming. I use to have such a high regard for college education. My father graduated from University off Illinois. (I have only managed to complete some community college classes in math). I championed the idea for making sure my children go to college. I almost regret it. To have any conversation regarding social issues takes an effort similar to playing chess. That is, if they are even willing to engage in serious discussions with me. My default starting position is an uneducated, generation X, white, libertarian, cis-gendered male.
And that is where the problem lies. Only when we can put aside these labels and converse on what is actually said rather than what is stereotypically perceived, can a good conversation have a chance of happening, and it’s not always guaranteed.
Excellent article. This is a problem. And there is nuance. I am raised Jewish and am a physician. I do not believe that diversity of opinion should include airing bogus science and beliefs re Covid for example, by the more mainstream/left media. Likewise and emphatically, there is not an alternative side to whether the Holocaust occurred, or in homage you you Peter, the Armenian genocide. I welcome your thoughts on this distinction.
On the other hand, social issues like so called CRT-Critical Race Theory, centrist and conservative political theory, views on abortion, the Transexual debate, "cancel" culture and triggers and much more can and should be debated. Prominent conservative thinkers, especially black academics of which there are many, should be allowed air-time to counter the prevailing presenters on equity vs. equality and so on.
I have most recently discovered your blog and appreciate it. Others that I follow regularly include Bari Weiss, and Persuasion Community, as well as the City Journal of the Manhattan institute. These supplement my daily dose of the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Seattle Times, local alt weekly The Stranger and much more. I consider myself politically independent, do not watch Fox News other than on rare occasion to have a laugh or two, and am deeply dismayed at the lack of civil discussion and especially the way in which young students believe it is just fine to cancel and shout down those who make them "uncomfortable".
I have an idea! My production company is about to launch an Internet/Podcast Show modeled after your book, Impossible Conversations. I tried to reach out to you through your website but got no response. Our intention is to have people on the show with opposing views discuss their views, openly and demonstrate that it can be done!! If you are able, please respond to my message. -Thank you.
I consume almost entirely non-standard media news nowadays that focuses on bridging the conversation gap between right and left. Quite a lot of that is on Substack. For instance, I'm a right-winger but my main news source isn't say, FoxNews, but The Dispatch. They (and specifically Jonah Goldberg and David French) are committed conservatives, but I'd say they are also committed to making common cause with those on the left and the right who are similarly against the illiberalism rising in both parties.
I don't think the left media is more reticent in interviewing other-view people than the right media. Both parts seem to be scared of what may happen during such "antagonistic" interviews. I have seen just a few in CNN, quite fair and civilized.
I don't think the video works very well. If the message you want to convey is 'The only diversity that is not tolerated is diversity of opinion' then I would argue straightforwardly for that. As it stands, the concept of diversity you portray is one that may be understood for people who already share your view, not for those you might want to convince, who will likely dismiss your characterisation of the concept as a straw man.
I'm at a loss as well and would love to understand how to overcome this problem. I'm seeing it lately in the controversy over COVID (not wanting to rehash that here). Most friends simply refuse to consider any information that doesn't come from mainstream media, insisting they're following "the science" while having no idea what the data actually is. I had a long conversation with a friend last night in which he said he'd believe it when data came out to support it, but totally ignored the data I sent him. What he actually meant was he'd believe it when mainstream media reports on it. It results in a vicious cycle: people don't believe you because they claim your sources aren't trustworthy, not realizing those sources exist precisely because there is a mainstream media blackout on anything that contradicts the narrative. It feels like shouting into the void, you can present facts and data all day long but they simply don't land. Whereas I'm happy to read the mainstream sources people send me. We really are living in parallel realities and it seems to be getting worse. I have no idea how to bridge the gap.
I believe that an honest and truthful conversation in today’s divisive environment takes more effort than most are willing to invest.
I’m a father who has 2 kids that received undergraduate degrees, one in California State, the other in University of California. They both graduated within the last 5 years. The level of progressive indoctrination was/is alarming. I use to have such a high regard for college education. My father graduated from University off Illinois. (I have only managed to complete some community college classes in math). I championed the idea for making sure my children go to college. I almost regret it. To have any conversation regarding social issues takes an effort similar to playing chess. That is, if they are even willing to engage in serious discussions with me. My default starting position is an uneducated, generation X, white, libertarian, cis-gendered male.
And that is where the problem lies. Only when we can put aside these labels and converse on what is actually said rather than what is stereotypically perceived, can a good conversation have a chance of happening, and it’s not always guaranteed.
Deep down they know that if any of their ideas are scrutinized, they immediately fall apart under the light of reality.
Excellent article. This is a problem. And there is nuance. I am raised Jewish and am a physician. I do not believe that diversity of opinion should include airing bogus science and beliefs re Covid for example, by the more mainstream/left media. Likewise and emphatically, there is not an alternative side to whether the Holocaust occurred, or in homage you you Peter, the Armenian genocide. I welcome your thoughts on this distinction.
On the other hand, social issues like so called CRT-Critical Race Theory, centrist and conservative political theory, views on abortion, the Transexual debate, "cancel" culture and triggers and much more can and should be debated. Prominent conservative thinkers, especially black academics of which there are many, should be allowed air-time to counter the prevailing presenters on equity vs. equality and so on.
I have most recently discovered your blog and appreciate it. Others that I follow regularly include Bari Weiss, and Persuasion Community, as well as the City Journal of the Manhattan institute. These supplement my daily dose of the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Seattle Times, local alt weekly The Stranger and much more. I consider myself politically independent, do not watch Fox News other than on rare occasion to have a laugh or two, and am deeply dismayed at the lack of civil discussion and especially the way in which young students believe it is just fine to cancel and shout down those who make them "uncomfortable".
I have an idea! My production company is about to launch an Internet/Podcast Show modeled after your book, Impossible Conversations. I tried to reach out to you through your website but got no response. Our intention is to have people on the show with opposing views discuss their views, openly and demonstrate that it can be done!! If you are able, please respond to my message. -Thank you.
I consume almost entirely non-standard media news nowadays that focuses on bridging the conversation gap between right and left. Quite a lot of that is on Substack. For instance, I'm a right-winger but my main news source isn't say, FoxNews, but The Dispatch. They (and specifically Jonah Goldberg and David French) are committed conservatives, but I'd say they are also committed to making common cause with those on the left and the right who are similarly against the illiberalism rising in both parties.
I don't think the left media is more reticent in interviewing other-view people than the right media. Both parts seem to be scared of what may happen during such "antagonistic" interviews. I have seen just a few in CNN, quite fair and civilized.
I don't think the video works very well. If the message you want to convey is 'The only diversity that is not tolerated is diversity of opinion' then I would argue straightforwardly for that. As it stands, the concept of diversity you portray is one that may be understood for people who already share your view, not for those you might want to convince, who will likely dismiss your characterisation of the concept as a straw man.