The Long Night 1: Introduction

[WithANameLike]

Ambiguity of self which prevents narcissism also prevents love. And here I want to say that our understanding of love is informed most by how much we love. I get the sense that I should shut up now and that sense is of the sanctity of love. Could you imagine deconstructing love? Love is a word even outside of etymological explication. But here I am, pulling apart a need for acceptance and love and I can't help but analyze both.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

I agree, the main problem are those people who are not willing to listen to the arguments for tolerance/acceptance that have been brought forth. Those who are open-minded enough to consider them are already living accordingly.

The analogy of the English pool is excellent, and a good point.

Decent behavior can be quite a difficult and complex topic. I'd say one of the most important aspects related to it is communication. Since people's perspective differs they need to explain what they expect.

[SassiBoB]

"except those guys"

hahahhaha <33

[LORDNAG1]

This reminds me of those people who are racist and like to chant about how they should be united with the other poeple that look like them, but speak a different language and most likely hate anyone who does not. Thats the folly of trusting someone becuase they look something like you. Hate runs deep and even if you look like me we best be closely relative by family bonds withing direct blood desendency for my trust to be giving so likely.

[StevenErnest]

Fear, suspicion, and hate of The Other is a human trait which developed as a survival mechanism. First, "It might eat me." Then, "My tribe is good, your tribe is bad."

Because a global civilization is forming, this mechanism is no longer practical. That hate crimes are increasing, is actually an expected sign: we are being forced to deal with The Other -- whether we want to or not. Global birth pangs.

Of course, we need viable methods of dealing with hate, as you are lucidly discussing.

[Mjhavok]

"If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?" - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago.

[Mjhavok]

@Mjhavok One of my favourite quotes and books.

[TheCarruths]

@Mjhavok Agreed on both points. "For Alex", by way of testament.

[Mjhavok]

@TheCarruths I often think of that quote and wonder, if only I could write like that. I sounds like a cliché but I guess you never know until you try.

[Mjhavok]

Have you read Karl Popper's The Open Society and its Enemies and Umberto Eco's Eternal Fascism: Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Blackshirt?

[dospook]

Where was this video when I needed it?

[Mjhavok]

@dospook TheCarruths that was required to make it, didn't exist yet.

[ctso74]

"Except those guys!" I fear the Other is a human trait, that we won't shake for a good while, if ever.

[fauyd]

I'm glad you talked about this distinction people make between human and not-really-human. It seems to be a huge problem always and still.

[premed2]

In Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone the hater was frequently transformed into the hated, however it wasn't always clear if they were morally transformed by their experience, as the episode typically ended shortly thereafter.

[87Julius]

That was pretty good, thanks for sharing

[frozenflame2010]

Enjoyed the show.......puts notepad and gel pen back into breast pocket :-)

Going to order Waldeinsamkeit in my local Library if it's the last thing I do.

[shoogernspyses]

very stimulating talk. thanks. it's nice to hear thoughts on practical applications of these things.