Facts And Reason No Longer Work

For a long time I was astounded at the visceral reactions I provoke by making a reasoned argument, simply because the conclusion is one that people do not want to hear.  This mystified me because I do not feel threatened or upset at statements I disagree with; I am happy to debate further or to agree to disagree.  It never occurred to me, until fairly recently in my life, that most people are unwilling or unable to reason.  Instead, people rationalize the beliefs dictated by their emotions.  To such people an argument is not an attack on a particular proposition, but rather an attack on them personally.  And lacking the tools of reason, such people have no way to respond other than through hostility or avoidance -- which is why I no longer waste my time debating them.  It would be just as productive to debate a doorknob.

It's getting only worse, and it seals the fate of larger political discourse.  Because modern people are spoiled -- a subject I've discussed at length -- their aversion to hearing unpleasant things has grown so strong that they cannot see the Armageddon staring them in the face.  Like an addict, modern man is in denial and hates those who dare suggest he has a problem.  Instead, he runs to his supplier of good feelings.  An interesting article looks at how this suicidal dynamic likely guarantees Obama's re-election, which is fine with me because the remnant of real Americans needs to abandon hope of mainstream political salvation and become radicalized.  If argument doesn't work, a refusal to cooperate just might.