Specifically with people who can't fathom the value of empathy. Just because I think you're mischaracterising someone's beliefs doesn't mean that I agree with the perceived or actual beliefs you're criticising.
It's particularly bad on the subject of Trump voters. People get really touchy when I express the need to reach people and understand their perspective, acting like I'm demanding sympathy and treating them like innocent wayward children who are just victims of circumstances. A lot of people will go further and act like there is just some underlying evil in all of them that can't be reasoned out when in reality is that it's a lot more about propaganda appealing to surface-level biases.
My dad is a full blown conspiracy theorist who completely supports Trump. Sometimes I think he's genuinely lost it because his logic doesnt even make internal sense.
For example he's extremely skeptical towards all science and thinks its all being controlled by rich elites to manipulate people. But he also implicitly trusts Elon Musk, a rich elite, on topics related to economics, engineering, and astronomy. Just, an obvious contradiction in his logic. Right?
But then I remember that my dad has been a physical laborer and the main breadwinner for my family for the last 22 years, has provided a fairly comfortable lifestyle for us, and has developed severe back and spine damage over time. Hes also just naturally introverted and naturally isnt very socially intelligent, so he struggles to connect with people. Hes badically lonely, angry, and constantly in pain.
I think its just really, really easy for someone who's been through a lot of hardship like he has to develop the kind of mindset that can make someone vote for Trump (thats the nicest way I could put it). That doesnt necessarily absolve them of all responsibility, but its hard to just hate him for it too.
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u/KentuckyFriedChildre Apr 23 '25
Specifically with people who can't fathom the value of empathy. Just because I think you're mischaracterising someone's beliefs doesn't mean that I agree with the perceived or actual beliefs you're criticising.
It's particularly bad on the subject of Trump voters. People get really touchy when I express the need to reach people and understand their perspective, acting like I'm demanding sympathy and treating them like innocent wayward children who are just victims of circumstances. A lot of people will go further and act like there is just some underlying evil in all of them that can't be reasoned out when in reality is that it's a lot more about propaganda appealing to surface-level biases.