I wrote a post on my free substack that was highly critical of Haidt's article. I'll let it speak for itself. (Like all my posts, it's limited to 1,000 words).
I am really glad you are going to take something of a break. If you create a "tip jar" I will send you the $8 for May. Happy to pay you to take some time off. I figure you will return with new vigor and maybe a few great new insights.
I've been saying for quite a while that the primary rub in the world right now is difference. You used to be able to live a fairly comfortable tribal life without much upheaval, without encountering difference in a way that could be fairly easily minimized. Increasingly, it can't be avoided. We're in for a long time of adjustment--in my 80s, much longer than I'll live--to the fact that humans can no longer avoid encountering real difference. I'm hopeful this prolonged phase of human existence will eventually lead to an adjustment, but it clearly will not happen without a lot of pain and bruising.
The smartest part of Haidt's piece was: "People who think differently and are willing to speak up if they disagree with you make you (the 'boss') smarter." True, but rarely rewarded because (you, the not-boss) becoming smarter is dangerous (a threat) to those above you in the tribe or institution. And as always the case - rewarded behavior will be repeated. Thus "things" don't get better unless or until forced by threat of oblivion / extinction. The force coming from nature or others. And as you've pointed out before, Bob, threat inflation (fear inducing) is a useful "tool". Reality be damned.
Haidt can't see it, but he is part of the problem - a stupid, smart person.
I find it more than a little bit odd Haidt doesn't address why democratic Scandinavian countries have relatively higher levels of trust than most other democratic and nondemocratic countries. (Maybe I missed it?).
Is Everything Falling Apart?
I can only add from something you linked in another document:
“Mankind must acquire two things which are at present increasingly disappearing: loving kindness and scientific impartiality.”
—Bertrand Russell
Enjoy your break.
A most interesting read. The parallels to the printing press/Luther era are striking.
I wrote a post on my free substack that was highly critical of Haidt's article. I'll let it speak for itself. (Like all my posts, it's limited to 1,000 words).
https://robertsdavidn.substack.com/p/according-to-jonathan-haidt-the-fault?s=w
This is a wonderful historically-based piece Bob. I am also willing to donate my $8 for the tip jar.
I am really glad you are going to take something of a break. If you create a "tip jar" I will send you the $8 for May. Happy to pay you to take some time off. I figure you will return with new vigor and maybe a few great new insights.
Thought you'd find this post of interest. Will miss your posts in May!
https://robertsdavidn.substack.com/p/poshlost-gogol-and-belinsky-in-1847?s=w
I've been saying for quite a while that the primary rub in the world right now is difference. You used to be able to live a fairly comfortable tribal life without much upheaval, without encountering difference in a way that could be fairly easily minimized. Increasingly, it can't be avoided. We're in for a long time of adjustment--in my 80s, much longer than I'll live--to the fact that humans can no longer avoid encountering real difference. I'm hopeful this prolonged phase of human existence will eventually lead to an adjustment, but it clearly will not happen without a lot of pain and bruising.
According to Kevin Drum, this extreme division started and is still fed by Fox News, not social media.
The smartest part of Haidt's piece was: "People who think differently and are willing to speak up if they disagree with you make you (the 'boss') smarter." True, but rarely rewarded because (you, the not-boss) becoming smarter is dangerous (a threat) to those above you in the tribe or institution. And as always the case - rewarded behavior will be repeated. Thus "things" don't get better unless or until forced by threat of oblivion / extinction. The force coming from nature or others. And as you've pointed out before, Bob, threat inflation (fear inducing) is a useful "tool". Reality be damned.
Haidt can't see it, but he is part of the problem - a stupid, smart person.
take care
I find it more than a little bit odd Haidt doesn't address why democratic Scandinavian countries have relatively higher levels of trust than most other democratic and nondemocratic countries. (Maybe I missed it?).
Another straw dog argument, that ignores reality.