tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1708526554831383554.post2520423578344767873..comments2017-04-14T08:50:51.616-07:00Comments on Blue's Views: Ignorance and Douchebags!Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05284266658215243193noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1708526554831383554.post-70139107653874885942012-03-08T10:56:47.981-08:002012-03-08T10:56:47.981-08:00I miss you too Shounak, very much.
And I actually...I miss you too Shounak, very much.<br /><br />And I actually agree with your point entirely. I wrote this blog post in the small window of time I had between work and Wine Wednesday, so I didn't explain myself as clearly as I should have. <br /><br />You're absolutely correct that there are plenty of ignorant people that bandwagon on to a movement simply for the sake of doing so, and for how it would affect their image. And you're right when you say that open and reasonable debate on the topic and about the movement should be encouraged. After all, trying to understand those with conflicting viewpoints is the only way that we can better our own viewpoints, and ultimately come up with the best solution. <br /><br />The people that I was meaning to speak out against weren't people that were against or even hesitant about the movement for intelligent reasons; (of which there are plenty) but instead those people that were belittling the people who are attaching themselves to the movement. I would gladly promote a reasonable debate on the merits of the movement, but the people I'm angry at aren't engaging in reasonable debate. They're simply making negative comments without any intelligence behind them. <br /><br />Basically I guess my central thesis was meant to be, that I can't stand it when people make negative comments about the people that join a movement without any intelligent reason to do so. If people would like to criticize a movement itself and do so intelligently, then by all means they should because that criticism is the key to bettering the movement and bettering ourselves. But to make baseless negative comments about the PEOPLE joining a movement, without any apparent reason of why you don't support the movement, that I won't tolerate; because all it does is hurt the movement without giving the opportunity to better the movement through constructive criticism. <br /><br />And finally, I'd just like to reiterate how much I miss you.Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05284266658215243193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1708526554831383554.post-9549247571102454102012-03-08T10:28:55.346-08:002012-03-08T10:28:55.346-08:00Hi Chris,
I saw your blog from your shared link.
...Hi Chris, <br />I saw your blog from your shared link.<br />When I saw the Kony video it was very eye-opening. Prior to that video I had no idea who he was or about the *specifics* of the trouble he's causing.<br />That said, my first thought was "so, business as usual in Africa?"<br /><br />Kony is a symptom of a larger social disease of apathy enabling atrocities. I've usually *verbally* espoused the mindset that if you're not going to stand up for your "morally superior" beliefs then what the point of espousing them at all? Then I've justified immediate action in area X and justified delaying action in area Y... and I've justified my bias by veiling it as pragmatism, though it's most often selective apathy. This viewpoint is so often called hawkish and belligerent (and certainly sometimes it is!)<br /><br />... But most of my peers have usually had the complete opposite position: the the United States has no business playing "world police" and intervening in other nations' internal civil/military conflicts. By extension: that our moral position ought not be imposed.<br /><br />I think there are certain merits and failures in both viewpoints. Mine is inherently hegemonic, the opposition is inherently apathetic.<br /><br />One can explain how hegemony yields results internationally, positively or negatively depending the validity of the cause and the execution of the action. I wonder, though, how to reconcile the opposing stance with the response we've seen from this video's spread and the resulting "call to arms" of both veteran and tenderfoot "social activists"...Matt Karamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01336081888914895029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1708526554831383554.post-16985994486847360702012-03-07T23:58:07.242-08:002012-03-07T23:58:07.242-08:00Hey Chris, thanks for posting this blog. As you kn...Hey Chris, thanks for posting this blog. As you know I am your biggest fan. However, I have to disagree with the central thesis to this blog post. I completely agree that a movement to find this ruthless man is justified. Also, those who spend time and money to support this cause are certainly noble. <br /><br />While I agree with the fact that people will be in the opposition just to be rebel, I do think there can be some justified opposition. What if this isn't your biggest concern? I work with Kiva where we use microloans to help females come out of poverty, be more independent, overcome life long work in brothels. Is there opposition to this plan to attempt to solve these issues? Absolutely, and we should welcome debate. No one solution solves everything? Just because one person is in complete agreement with your stance doesn't mean they are informed either. We can all find some very ignorant people who posted the Kony video today. Heck, I thought if you posted this video 100 times everyone you knew would get a free cone (too soon?).<br /><br />What's wrong if there are informed people who don't think the central plan of 100 American soldiers (whose average age is 20 and whom most have never had to complete a task on this magnitude. Plus who have no idea of this region and how to navigate through it) may not be the best solution. What's wrong with asking the question "100 troops have been in Uganda since October 2011 and no foundation can give any statistical evidence that there presence has made any significant affect in finding Kony or reducing his force? What's wrong with saying Kony has 60 different wives and 40 kids who when willing to talk give completely different accounts on where he is, so how can better funding for technology solve this? Why not have an honest debate?<br /><br />You're right when you say it's your actions that showcase your intelligence. You're right when you say the world is becoming more flatter, but it doesn't mean we are all taking advantage of this opportunity. People in big cities with progressive values are far more educated but yet still cling to their biases, as do people in small conservative rural areas.<br /><br />I'm not saying we shouldn't support this movement. I think it's wonderful and you know I'll be taking shots with you when he is captured. However, this new digital world has made us rush to judgements and conclusions (on either side of an argument) much faster than we've done before. What's wrong with holding back a bit and analyzing the overall synopsis?<br /><br />Basically I miss you Blue. That's my central thesis.Shounakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596363322626900057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1708526554831383554.post-62486537564408346292012-03-07T19:16:45.959-08:002012-03-07T19:16:45.959-08:00I enjoyed this very much Chris. It sickens me tha...I enjoyed this very much Chris. It sickens me that some people rush in to say negative things about a positive movement. I think that these people are just jealous that they didn't start such an amazing movement their selves. <br />I especially like the last line, very nice!Zaotronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14463034773419969736noreply@blogger.com