Are you open-minded?

Is your mind a parachute?  Open, so it works?

What stories in the press or SM do you just accept?  Why?

Do you acknowledge the extent or even the possibility of inaccurate or partisan reporting by your favoured media?

This week saw the launch of GB news, which seeks to call out what it sees as the largely left-leaning metropolitan, liberal views that it sees as endemic in both the BBC and also Sky News.  It has a laudable aim, to challenge what appears to be ‘the only acceptable’ position to take, and, which it points out, often lacks alternative evidence to moderate and provide fully balanced news coverage.  

This is indeed a laudable aim, and we will have to wait and see if they do live up to it.   The temptation I hope they will avoid, is to simply be as strident in taking the opposite perspective, from the views they complain about. 

It is my observation, even as someone who aims to retain independence of thought, that it is all too easy to simply accept that the most prevalent/loudest views are those to (at least appear) to adopt.  It seems that many people feel pressured to ‘fit in’ even if they don’t fully agree or have reservations.  I know for myself that I sometimes stay quiet rather than offer a different perspective (even when I have solid evidence that there is validity to the other viewpoint). The siren majority voices are so loud, I don’t want to attract opprobrium.

I can see an opportunity to help open these perhaps ‘closed parachute minds’. This could begin with asking coaching questions.   Ones that are open and challenging to ‘stuck’ thinking. And it occurs to me that perhaps any one of us can start to challenge (at least on Social Media), through asking simple, powerful questions.  How about something like, “What do you really know about xxx’s actual thoughts or stance on (eg: multiculturalism)?”  Or, “What are your sources on this topic? What alternative interpretations or experiences might shed more light on it?” “Where might you find an alternative authority?”

I believe that there is a value for learning and perspective by looking with a desire to understand, at past events and people, who lived in different times with different values in place.  Do we not need to try to have some empathy for the reality in which previous generations lived? Would we not wish for future generations to similarly view our ‘pawprints’ on society with a desire to understand where we were coming from? 

The old saying that those who didn’t learn the lessons of history were doomed to repeat them, appears lost to advocates of seeing history solely through a 21st century lens.  It appears they want to destroy or ignore both the good, along with the bad lessons that history offers.  Sometimes these people are happily benefiting from the legacies or the freedoms we have, thanks to the bequests or peace processes of the people who, using today’s perspective, they view as unacceptable.  Is that not a form of hypocrisy?  Perhaps they might wish to advocate turning down or handing back the ‘tainted’ benefits they may currently enjoy? I would suggest that retaining the history, perhaps in museums, if not spread around towns and public buildings, and putting balancing explanatory plaques alongside may be more productive in teaching the lessons.  Nobody is all good or all bad after all.  Even acknowledged villains may be loving towards their mothers or kind to animals!

It seems like “1984” has arrived on the scene and ‘big brother’ or, in the case of social media, a myriad of ‘little brothers’ coming together create one way to see what is permissible and vociferously drown out dissenting voices.  Sorry, I want to ensure my mind is open both to their view and opposing ones.

Traditional media used to be quite transparently aligned to a political or social viewpoint. We could choose to engage, or not.   It could not seek us out and denigrate us for not adhering to its opinions. The saying misattributed to Voltaire, that "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" seems to have bypassed the self- appointed moral guardians on Social Media and people are pilloried for expressing opinions that do not meet the standards they advocate.

It is alarming to see hate spewed at various groups, (or, worse, individuals who can be driven to extreme actions), without seeking the balance of an alternative view.  This is just creating an echo chamber for increasingly extremist perspectives.  Which is how radicalisation happens. Ideas become polarised and remain unchallenged because those on the receiving end are scared to put their alternative point of view, for fear of repercussions.  

What happened to tolerance? To challenge? To choice? To the right of each person to peacefully follow their path, without fear of repercussion or retribution?

All these ‘closed parachutes' that abound in both the traditional media and online…they risk diminishing human experience and learning.  And crashing to the ground because the parachute is closed, perhaps? 

One glimmer of hope and a worthy role mode, is a young man of my acquaintance who always listens to podcasts and seeks articles/media that take a totally different view from his own.  He is determined to keep his mind open to understand that there are actually 3 sides to every story, each protagonist’s and the reality.  I hope his attitude prevails.  If you agree, perhaps follow that example, or, engage with a robust coach, challenging your ‘truths’ and thereby grow self-awareness.   

I advocate learning to challenge your own paradigms and discover the truth, both about yourself and the world. Seek out someone who has a different perspective on something important, and keep your parachute open when you truly listen to understand them..... Even if it is sometimes uncomfortable.

Who agrees?...

or not?

All views are worthy of consideration.