Having a centrist opinion has become so rare that I believe it has even become a radical position to take. If you are not repeating what the talking heads say, you are a radical in the minds of most people. Not picking a side and riding the fence makes people nervous. They want to be able to figure you out, compartmentalize you, and they need to know what camp you are in. When you point out all of the really unappealing aspects of both camps and urge them to hang out with you in the middle, they look at you like you are crazy. I know because this happens to me a lot. And I say both camps because the gangsters who control us know that when they only give us two options it is easier to divide us. Divide then conquer.
But are Midlanders the ones who are crazy? I believe not. I don't think it is crazy to respectfully listen, then contemplate, then agree with some and disagree with some. The two camps are swampy, incestuous, structured, repetitive, sad and boring. Some of us smell the stench and have taken to the safety of the middle ground.
The breath of fresh air being in the midst of other open minded Midlanders appeals to us. Another of of the most appealing aspects of the middle ground is the lack of ideological hierarchy. The power structures and schools of thought in the two camps are a thing of the past. We are all free to say something new and be listened to without judgment.
Saying something that most people have never heard must be done with style and grace. Quite often this isn't executed as gracefully or as thoughtfully as it should be. I am sure we have all been on the receiving end of something we have never heard before, and the pompous delivery method ruined us on the actual idea itself. It doesn't matter the what they were saying, the how they were saying it turned us away from the idea. So you can have a big say about how people feel on a subject forever simply by introducing it to them in a graceful way. Consider your listener and their not having heard something before. Serve them in your graceful delivery of the message. Take the humble and modest approach.
Its as easy as 1-2-3. First agree with some of what they said, then respectfully disagree with some and then carefully introduce a new idea. This is a soft approach to bringing people towards the middle. Its like a harmless invite to the Midland camp where you introduce them to other open minded campers and let them know they can come over for dinner as often as they like. Before you know it you will have another homesteader in Midland!
One personal admission is that it is difficult to listen to an extremist, especially when there are personal insults being lobbed at you. This truly is Jesus + Bruce Lee level mental ninja shit (to suppress that pride and listen still). Once I have deflected all of the knives, darts, shards of glass and sometimes axes tossed at me in a conversation and the listening is over, I proceed to 1-3.
More and more people are starting to awaken and want to get away from the two sewage camps. They just need you to gently walk with them along the trail and help them find a safe spot for their tent. So grab hold of their hand and invite them to Midland!
But are Midlanders the ones who are crazy? I believe not. I don't think it is crazy to respectfully listen, then contemplate, then agree with some and disagree with some. The two camps are swampy, incestuous, structured, repetitive, sad and boring. Some of us smell the stench and have taken to the safety of the middle ground.
The breath of fresh air being in the midst of other open minded Midlanders appeals to us. Another of of the most appealing aspects of the middle ground is the lack of ideological hierarchy. The power structures and schools of thought in the two camps are a thing of the past. We are all free to say something new and be listened to without judgment.
Saying something that most people have never heard must be done with style and grace. Quite often this isn't executed as gracefully or as thoughtfully as it should be. I am sure we have all been on the receiving end of something we have never heard before, and the pompous delivery method ruined us on the actual idea itself. It doesn't matter the what they were saying, the how they were saying it turned us away from the idea. So you can have a big say about how people feel on a subject forever simply by introducing it to them in a graceful way. Consider your listener and their not having heard something before. Serve them in your graceful delivery of the message. Take the humble and modest approach.
Its as easy as 1-2-3. First agree with some of what they said, then respectfully disagree with some and then carefully introduce a new idea. This is a soft approach to bringing people towards the middle. Its like a harmless invite to the Midland camp where you introduce them to other open minded campers and let them know they can come over for dinner as often as they like. Before you know it you will have another homesteader in Midland!
One personal admission is that it is difficult to listen to an extremist, especially when there are personal insults being lobbed at you. This truly is Jesus + Bruce Lee level mental ninja shit (to suppress that pride and listen still). Once I have deflected all of the knives, darts, shards of glass and sometimes axes tossed at me in a conversation and the listening is over, I proceed to 1-3.
More and more people are starting to awaken and want to get away from the two sewage camps. They just need you to gently walk with them along the trail and help them find a safe spot for their tent. So grab hold of their hand and invite them to Midland!
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