It took me a awhile to get to this series, but I’m so glad I did. I, too, was hoping that the rhetoric on both sides would calm down. I’ve stopped watching all cable news; as you said, it’s trying to maintain outrage for viewership. Too much for my central nervous system, keeping it jacked all the time. And I’ve stopped following a lot of what were your peers on twitter for the same reason. I often feel conflicted about liking some of my neighbors because I know they’re watching fox and have a lot of bigotry, but at the same time when we talk about everyday issues outside of politics they love their families, and have similar struggles and experiences. We’ll never be close, but hating them doesn’t feel like a solution either. Thanks for this series, as always so glad I subscribed.
One of the best writings I have read in years. Brought me up short at several points as it forced me to reflect upon myself critically. Which is a good thing. Thank you for taking the time to write these 3 parts in the way you did. An important read.
Today, a woman I know a bit, like a lot, dumbfounded me. She asked me if I was recovered from a brief encounter I just experienced with Covid and when I told her it was very mild, she said she had experienced it as well, and found it to be easier than the flu. I suggested it was because we had been vaccinated and she then said, though she had been vaccinated that she wouldn't do anymore because "it was putting poisons in your body." Another couple told me they didn't vaccinate because the FDA wasn't trustworthy. I'm sure this has nothing to do with being able to see only shapes in darkness, but aren't we all interesting?
This entire piece got me thinking--and I appreciate that. I taught brain science (including sensation and perception) for decades and you’re very accurate in your explanation. I also did darkroom work when I was younger.
One element that makes a difference in our perception is the learning that we bring to it. Things that I perceive are based on my past experiences. Some of that has to do with my biology, certainly, but some of it has to do with my learning.
Once, while driving on a dark Missouri highway at night, I aimed my car between two highway reflectors down the road, only to discover they were actually dusty tail lights of a truck stopped on the highway and were right in front of me. The car was totaled but nobody was hurt, including the truck, its driver, and my daughter who was sitting next to me (and whose car it was). I don’t drive much at night anymore and I definitely don’t trust my visual perception at night.
I suspect how we view others depends on our prior experiences, and if we don’t have those, we guess, right or wrong. As you said, social media tends to fill in the gaps for better or (often) for worse.
I have no idea whether what I just wrote is related to your piece, but it’s what I thought about when I read what you wrote. Plus I miss my large format camera. :)
OMG. Thank you thank you for this. So pertinent to me right now on a ski trip with 18 acquaintances. And yes we have the ahole who brought covid and thinks he doesn't need to mask and be cautious among the 90 year old and the immunosupressants (me). And we have the single trumpster friend from way back. We all need to adjust our light a bit and thank for stating this so eloquently! And including Ansel Adams!!! Mike, you are an amazing writer! Thank you again.
Parts I, II, III...so well written and thought provoking. You continue to have a way of resonating. We need more and more of this to hopefully all dig our way out of our isolated, polarized bubbles and find a way to build community again. It’s a much better way to live. Thank you, as always, for your compassionate, reasonable view and your beautiful writing.
“Well, per all of the above, in deliberately overly lit environments, we’re less right than we think we are. We see less than the whole picture; form reductive, reflexive, snap opinions; and think they’re unimpeachably and completely true.”
Phenomenal piece! It reminds me of something my son said when I wondered how our right-wing acquaintances in our town could both drop off a full Thanksgiving dinner at our door, yet also talk about rounding up people with my beliefs to kill us. He said, “social media technology has advanced too quickly. We can’t keep up, and it’s controlling us, moving us to the extremes.” It’s the brightness analogy. You’re right. It’s too bright.
What a fantastic three-parter. Such a satisfying meal with so much food for thought. Will have to read again.
Two things that spring up for me:
1) I think, in our modern civilization, true journalism was supposed to be the dimmer on the light switch.
Tuning the necessary levels of light intensity and brightness depending on the issue so that nuances were identifiable and often enough happened to be the story.
Somehow the dimmer broke. And only those with engineering background are still able to adjust the light while the rest is stuck in the blinding light and terrifying dark corners of partisan media.
2) The question of why.
Why are there people living in the dark while others are firmly in the light? Is it a matter of design or decision? Nature or nurture?
Again, the answer probably is not black and white and most likely difficult to answer, if at all.
It’s important, though, because it tells us something about the overall ability we have (or don’t have) to practice dimming the lights ourselves.
Our reaction to light and darkness might be mostly nature. But whether or not we mostly remain in darker or lighter corners, I think, is mostly nurture. If you are used to only seeing the dark in your surroundings, you will come to expect it to be everywhere. You might even shy away from brightness if it comes on too sudden or too strong.
It took me a awhile to get to this series, but I’m so glad I did. I, too, was hoping that the rhetoric on both sides would calm down. I’ve stopped watching all cable news; as you said, it’s trying to maintain outrage for viewership. Too much for my central nervous system, keeping it jacked all the time. And I’ve stopped following a lot of what were your peers on twitter for the same reason. I often feel conflicted about liking some of my neighbors because I know they’re watching fox and have a lot of bigotry, but at the same time when we talk about everyday issues outside of politics they love their families, and have similar struggles and experiences. We’ll never be close, but hating them doesn’t feel like a solution either. Thanks for this series, as always so glad I subscribed.
One of the best writings I have read in years. Brought me up short at several points as it forced me to reflect upon myself critically. Which is a good thing. Thank you for taking the time to write these 3 parts in the way you did. An important read.
Well done, Mike.
Damn
The end really brought all three parts together and it was worth it
Today, a woman I know a bit, like a lot, dumbfounded me. She asked me if I was recovered from a brief encounter I just experienced with Covid and when I told her it was very mild, she said she had experienced it as well, and found it to be easier than the flu. I suggested it was because we had been vaccinated and she then said, though she had been vaccinated that she wouldn't do anymore because "it was putting poisons in your body." Another couple told me they didn't vaccinate because the FDA wasn't trustworthy. I'm sure this has nothing to do with being able to see only shapes in darkness, but aren't we all interesting?
This entire piece got me thinking--and I appreciate that. I taught brain science (including sensation and perception) for decades and you’re very accurate in your explanation. I also did darkroom work when I was younger.
One element that makes a difference in our perception is the learning that we bring to it. Things that I perceive are based on my past experiences. Some of that has to do with my biology, certainly, but some of it has to do with my learning.
Once, while driving on a dark Missouri highway at night, I aimed my car between two highway reflectors down the road, only to discover they were actually dusty tail lights of a truck stopped on the highway and were right in front of me. The car was totaled but nobody was hurt, including the truck, its driver, and my daughter who was sitting next to me (and whose car it was). I don’t drive much at night anymore and I definitely don’t trust my visual perception at night.
I suspect how we view others depends on our prior experiences, and if we don’t have those, we guess, right or wrong. As you said, social media tends to fill in the gaps for better or (often) for worse.
I have no idea whether what I just wrote is related to your piece, but it’s what I thought about when I read what you wrote. Plus I miss my large format camera. :)
Thank you...hit home once again.
Again, another magnificent read. I am grateful to have this new perspective as I am preparing to spend a week with my extremely right sister.
Your statement of outrage and petrified stances will help me throughout that week and into the future.
Great story. I also love Ansel Adams work. Thank you.
OMG. Thank you thank you for this. So pertinent to me right now on a ski trip with 18 acquaintances. And yes we have the ahole who brought covid and thinks he doesn't need to mask and be cautious among the 90 year old and the immunosupressants (me). And we have the single trumpster friend from way back. We all need to adjust our light a bit and thank for stating this so eloquently! And including Ansel Adams!!! Mike, you are an amazing writer! Thank you again.
Leigh
Parts I, II, III...so well written and thought provoking. You continue to have a way of resonating. We need more and more of this to hopefully all dig our way out of our isolated, polarized bubbles and find a way to build community again. It’s a much better way to live. Thank you, as always, for your compassionate, reasonable view and your beautiful writing.
“Well, per all of the above, in deliberately overly lit environments, we’re less right than we think we are. We see less than the whole picture; form reductive, reflexive, snap opinions; and think they’re unimpeachably and completely true.”
Damn, Mike, you just described me.
Well done!
Phenomenal piece! It reminds me of something my son said when I wondered how our right-wing acquaintances in our town could both drop off a full Thanksgiving dinner at our door, yet also talk about rounding up people with my beliefs to kill us. He said, “social media technology has advanced too quickly. We can’t keep up, and it’s controlling us, moving us to the extremes.” It’s the brightness analogy. You’re right. It’s too bright.
What a fantastic three-parter. Such a satisfying meal with so much food for thought. Will have to read again.
Two things that spring up for me:
1) I think, in our modern civilization, true journalism was supposed to be the dimmer on the light switch.
Tuning the necessary levels of light intensity and brightness depending on the issue so that nuances were identifiable and often enough happened to be the story.
Somehow the dimmer broke. And only those with engineering background are still able to adjust the light while the rest is stuck in the blinding light and terrifying dark corners of partisan media.
2) The question of why.
Why are there people living in the dark while others are firmly in the light? Is it a matter of design or decision? Nature or nurture?
Again, the answer probably is not black and white and most likely difficult to answer, if at all.
It’s important, though, because it tells us something about the overall ability we have (or don’t have) to practice dimming the lights ourselves.
Our reaction to light and darkness might be mostly nature. But whether or not we mostly remain in darker or lighter corners, I think, is mostly nurture. If you are used to only seeing the dark in your surroundings, you will come to expect it to be everywhere. You might even shy away from brightness if it comes on too sudden or too strong.
Bravo & kudos, Mike. Well worth the wait.
Looking forward to the following parts.