I have never been much for small talk. That isn't to say I don't like to talk, quite the opposite is true. My wife is always saying, you talk to everyone. Yes, I do. I will often engage anyone in conversation at any opportunity. I will begin with small talk but can't help but interject something of more substance. Some will respond with cautious reserve while others will immediately state their opinions. If their opinion is directly opposed to mine I will gently tell them mine, as " something to think about. " The trick is to do so in a non confrontational way. I do try hard to not cause a confrontation as little meaningful discussion can take place when people are angry. I can usually tell right away which way the person is going to go in the conversation.
Many people shy away from speaking to others, I believe because of the perceived threat of controversy. If you say nothing people will leave you alone. I'm not sure why but I feel the need to speak. Oh there are plenty of adjectives that have been applied to me to explain that. Perhaps that is what others see and I wouldn't challenge their perception. Those that answer with expletives and anger I pay little attention too. A quietly spoken rebuttal will go a long way to gaining my interest. I admire a well reasoned response. In the political race currently being run this is in evidence. Consider Donald Trump vs Ben Carson. Opposite approaches there ! The Donald is the very definition of being loud and aggressive in his speech. Ben Carson is being criticized for being too soft spoken and quiet. With Donald Trump I do believe it is all a part of his strategy. I believe he is in it more for the fame and publicity than to actually win. There is no arguing with the fact that Donald has the attention focused upon him. Sadly I do think that a good portion of society admires his approach. I am hopeful that these same folks are the ones that do not vote ! Ben Carson was prompted to run and I feel his ego is what fuels his desire to continue in the race. Not that he doesn't have the ability to lead the nation, but, I don't think he has the personality to do so. Unfortunately soft spoken and well reasoned people are construed as being weak. It's the " geek " effect. Donald has the " bully " effect. At this time I can not endorse any candidate, from either party. The Dems are offering a liar and a socialist. I'm still waiting for someone to distinguish themselves.
We must engage in discourse to move forward. I think it should be done in the most straightforward fashion as possible. State your opinion clearly and state the reasons you think so. Really the only requirement is that you think for yourself. If you just repeat the arguments and logic of others that is not engaging in the conversation. I want to know just what concessions you are willing to make. It is through an understanding of those concessions that I can form my opinion of you. The things we are not willing to concede are the most important things to us. That is a simple principle to understand. It is the comparison of those things against mine that form the basis for understanding. If you are unwilling to concede to the truth, growth of any kind is impossible. Truth is not negotiable. It is a struggle we are facing at this very moment in history. A great deal of the world is trying to negotiate with the truth. Apply any label you like to that struggle. Until everyone agrees upon the truth it will continue, as it has done so for around 1400 years. I believe I know the truth. That truth being I have the right to live and believe as I choose. I believe you have a right to live and believe as you choose. I do not have a right to kill you for not believing as I do. You do not have a right to kill me for not believing as you do. Those are truths and I will not concede otherwise. It is simply the truth !
Many people shy away from speaking to others, I believe because of the perceived threat of controversy. If you say nothing people will leave you alone. I'm not sure why but I feel the need to speak. Oh there are plenty of adjectives that have been applied to me to explain that. Perhaps that is what others see and I wouldn't challenge their perception. Those that answer with expletives and anger I pay little attention too. A quietly spoken rebuttal will go a long way to gaining my interest. I admire a well reasoned response. In the political race currently being run this is in evidence. Consider Donald Trump vs Ben Carson. Opposite approaches there ! The Donald is the very definition of being loud and aggressive in his speech. Ben Carson is being criticized for being too soft spoken and quiet. With Donald Trump I do believe it is all a part of his strategy. I believe he is in it more for the fame and publicity than to actually win. There is no arguing with the fact that Donald has the attention focused upon him. Sadly I do think that a good portion of society admires his approach. I am hopeful that these same folks are the ones that do not vote ! Ben Carson was prompted to run and I feel his ego is what fuels his desire to continue in the race. Not that he doesn't have the ability to lead the nation, but, I don't think he has the personality to do so. Unfortunately soft spoken and well reasoned people are construed as being weak. It's the " geek " effect. Donald has the " bully " effect. At this time I can not endorse any candidate, from either party. The Dems are offering a liar and a socialist. I'm still waiting for someone to distinguish themselves.
We must engage in discourse to move forward. I think it should be done in the most straightforward fashion as possible. State your opinion clearly and state the reasons you think so. Really the only requirement is that you think for yourself. If you just repeat the arguments and logic of others that is not engaging in the conversation. I want to know just what concessions you are willing to make. It is through an understanding of those concessions that I can form my opinion of you. The things we are not willing to concede are the most important things to us. That is a simple principle to understand. It is the comparison of those things against mine that form the basis for understanding. If you are unwilling to concede to the truth, growth of any kind is impossible. Truth is not negotiable. It is a struggle we are facing at this very moment in history. A great deal of the world is trying to negotiate with the truth. Apply any label you like to that struggle. Until everyone agrees upon the truth it will continue, as it has done so for around 1400 years. I believe I know the truth. That truth being I have the right to live and believe as I choose. I believe you have a right to live and believe as you choose. I do not have a right to kill you for not believing as I do. You do not have a right to kill me for not believing as you do. Those are truths and I will not concede otherwise. It is simply the truth !
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