tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282847810407053513.post8629512115910171922..comments2023-09-03T16:20:44.938+01:00Comments on The Lanchester Forum: Why Is The Left So Narrow-Minded?, by James DraperDavid Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839882674758833524noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282847810407053513.post-81750353476970956152016-09-20T09:32:29.237+01:002016-09-20T09:32:29.237+01:00[this was meant to precede]
An interesting article...[this was meant to precede]<br />An interesting article, and I agree with the overall idea that the so-called Left is filled with hostility and close-mindedness. As, I think you would find, are most parties and indeed people in general. This question is more one of psychology and why people are inflexible than one of political belief.<br />But there are a few issues that need to be addressed.<br />Firstly, on the EU. There were valid reasons to vote either way, and choices were different because of the different priorities of people. However, it is clear that a large proportion of those who voted to leave did so on the basis of misinformation, or because of racist views. Misleading information is commonplace in any campaign, but I struggle to find any Remain statistic as misleading as the £350m claim. Which was, in fact, a downright lie. ‘We send £350m a week to the EU’ – no, we don’t, and we never have. As for racist views, polling suggests immigration was at the heart of the issue for many people, and Nigel Farage’s success and advertisements show that for many, fear of immigration was based on prejudiced and assumptive views.<br />Regarding the EU itself: the recent trouble in Ukraine was initiated by Putin, even if the EU exacerbated issues; the decision-makers of Brussels are both accountable and elected, in an admirable PR system; and the majority of decisions made in Brussels, on health-and-safety regulations and market standardisations, can hardly be said to be ‘deciding the internal running of a country.’<br />On (as you put it) modern feminism:<br />There was a time where I adamantly refused call myself a feminist. Agreeing with you, I recognise the huge importance and neglect of issues like male suicide, and believe issues like the gender pay gap are largely things that will take time to change, as education parity is reached.<br />But issues facing women abound – rape (happening predominantly against women, though we should recognise that against men, especially younger boys, doesn’t receive the attention it deserves), FGM, objectification (again, predominantly against women). And all matters, no matter how trivial, deserve attention. We cannot regard a problem as “dealt with” when ‘trivial’ issues still remain.<br />In the past, I would have said I cannot call myself a feminist, because I prioritised men’s issues. Now, I see that it is not a binary problem: I can support the advancement of both women’s and men’s rights. I still take issue with feminism. Feminists want equality, but they focus on getting it only by advancing the rights of women – something that is only an incomplete solution. So too do ‘meninists’ pursue hopeless methods.<br />By focussing on all issues, though, equality and – perhaps a more suitable goal – general advancement can occur. And so it is that I conclude I am a feminist – but also a meninist.<br />‘There are many interesting points raised by the sceptics, [including] scientists,’ you say. There are varying opinions on everything, I respond. Do you doubt (macro) evolution? There are strong arguments against it, yet I – who have not studied biology for some years – would happily say I believe in it.<br />I do this because the majority of scientists – experts – would do so. When we don’t know the answer to something, is it better to claim neutrality, or assert – with concession of doubt – a view? Your point that people should be open to debate, however, is sound. Too often, people are unwilling to question their beliefs or acknowledge less-than-perfect knowledge. You can try to convince me that climate change is false, but I currently hold an opposing view. And there is nothing wrong with my holding a view on something about which I know little – indeed, this is a necessary part of human life.<br />Green technology, nonetheless, is deserving of investment. Indeed, it could raise employment and hugely lower energy prices.gpannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122951137605080773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282847810407053513.post-349388297174594102016-09-20T09:29:01.300+01:002016-09-20T09:29:01.300+01:00Owen Smith is uninspiring, but your view that lack...Owen Smith is uninspiring, but your view that lack of policy change would mean no electability difference is misguided. Jeremy Corbyn has a tarnished reputation for many – though his cult of followers is significantly larger than that of Smith. Such is what you found at Durham Miners’ Gala, which you surely recognise as a specific group of the UK’s population of 65 million. To be elected, Corbyn needs to not only retain 2015 Labour voters (unlikely) but gain those of Tories and Liberals (equally so). The Greens and UKIP offer more hope – though many would shudder to see the resulting Labour party – as do 2015 non-voters. The question is, would many of them be inspired by Corbyn to vote for him?<br />Corbyn is not a ‘breath of fresh air.’ He repeats the stale policies of bygone years. Labour has been part of forcing U-turns, but this is in spite of, rather than because of, Corbyn.<br />As for the Tories, they are returning to their principles, lacking the liberalism of Cameron. They aren’t pretty principles.<br />Why is the Left so narrow-minded? Why are people in general so narrow minded?, is a better question. I agree with the spirit of your argument. People need to be more open to debates, and less arrogant and fixated in their viewpoints. I don’t think that Corbyn’s Labour fosters that attitude, though. Certainly not in Momentum. There’s a certain, distasteful hostility about many in the Labour party.gpannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122951137605080773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2282847810407053513.post-55547967843823900532016-09-20T09:28:37.664+01:002016-09-20T09:28:37.664+01:00An interesting article, and I agree with the overa...An interesting article, and I agree with the overall idea that the so-called Left is filled with hostility and close-mindedness. As, I think you would find, are most parties and indeed people in general. This question is more one of psychology and why people are inflexible than one of political belief.<br />But there are a few issues that need to be addressed.<br />Firstly, on the EU. There were valid reasons to vote either way, and choices were different because of the different priorities of people. However, it is clear that a large proportion of those who voted to leave did so on the basis of misinformation, or because of racist views. Misleading information is commonplace in any campaign, but I struggle to find any Remain statistic as misleading as the £350m claim. Which was, in fact, a downright lie. ‘We send £350m a week to the EU’ – no, we don’t, and we never have. As for racist views, polling suggests immigration was at the heart of the issue for many people, and Nigel Farage’s success and advertisements show that for many, fear of immigration was based on prejudiced and assumptive views.<br />Regarding the EU itself: the recent trouble in Ukraine was initiated by Putin, even if the EU exacerbated issues; the decision-makers of Brussels are both accountable and elected, in an admirable PR system; and the majority of decisions made in Brussels, on health-and-safety regulations and market standardisations, can hardly be said to be ‘deciding the internal running of a country.’<br />On (as you put it) modern feminism:<br />There was a time where I adamantly refused call myself a feminist. Agreeing with you, I recognise the huge importance and neglect of issues like male suicide, and believe issues like the gender pay gap are largely things that will take time to change, as education parity is reached.<br />But issues facing women abound – rape (happening predominantly against women, though we should recognise that against men, especially younger boys, doesn’t receive the attention it deserves), FGM, objectification (again, predominantly against women). And all matters, no matter how trivial, deserve attention. We cannot regard a problem as “dealt with” when ‘trivial’ issues still remain.<br />In the past, I would have said I cannot call myself a feminist, because I prioritised men’s issues. Now, I see that it is not a binary problem: I can support the advancement of both women’s and men’s rights. I still take issue with feminism. Feminists want equality, but they focus on getting it only by advancing the rights of women – something that is only an incomplete solution. So too do ‘meninists’ pursue hopeless methods.<br />By focussing on all issues, though, equality and – perhaps a more suitable goal – general advancement can occur. And so it is that I conclude I am a feminist – but also a meninist.<br />‘There are many interesting points raised by the sceptics, [including] scientists,’ you say. There are varying opinions on everything, I respond. Do you doubt (macro) evolution? There are strong arguments against it, yet I – who have not studied biology for some years – would happily say I believe in it.<br />I do this because the majority of scientists – experts – would do so. When we don’t know the answer to something, is it better to claim neutrality, or assert – with concession of doubt – a view? Your point that people should be open to debate, however, is sound. Too often, people are unwilling to question their beliefs or acknowledge less-than-perfect knowledge. You can try to convince me that climate change is false, but I currently hold an opposing view. And there is nothing wrong with my holding a view on something about which I know little – indeed, this is a necessary part of human life.<br />Green technology, nonetheless, is deserving of investment. Indeed, it could raise employment and hugely lower energy prices.gpannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122951137605080773noreply@blogger.com