Читать книгу Uncomfortable Ideas - Bo Bennett PhD - Страница 5

Simply defined, an uncomfortable idea is an idea that makes you uncomfortable. This is a subjective concept meaning that any given idea can be uncomfortable to you but not to another person or vice versa. More specifically, an uncomfortable idea is a thought that is difficult to entertain due to real or anticipated psychological pain or social consequences that result from entertaining the thought.

Recall the opening question about attending the Neo-Nazi event. For most of us, just considering attending this event makes us feel uncomfortable, and we didn’t even get to the ideas presented in the event. Perhaps you wouldn’t attend the Neo-Nazi event simply because you have no interest whatsoever in the topic. You don’t care if Hitler had a good side or if there were aspects of the Nazi party that made good social and economic sense. It wouldn’t surprise you, offend you, or make you uncomfortable in any way—you just don’t care. There are countless ideas and even more perspectives on those ideas. One couldn’t possibly entertain them all in a lifetime let alone someone who works, has a family, and enjoys one’s spare time. However, any ideas that fit into this category would, by definition, not qualify as “uncomfortable ideas.” Perhaps if more people supported the “nice guy Hitler” idea, then it would become an uncomfortable idea worthy of being entertained, but for now, it is simply an idea unworthy of our consideration. It is up to those who are trying to get us to consider the idea to convince us as to why it matters.

In addition to being apathetic to the idea (i.e., not giving a rat’s ass), you might be well informed and not likely to be exposed to any new information that will change your mind. Perhaps you have studied Nazi history and are well aware of the arguments and reasons presented by Nazi sympathizers. Your “avoidance” of the idea would more accurately be a refusal to waste your time on hearing information you already know, or can reasonably anticipate hearing. Indifference and being well-informed aside, ideas are often avoided for a reason.