Tunnel Vision!
Humans live in social groups; hence it is normal -and healthy- that its members relate themselves to group of idea(s) such as: religion(s), custom(s), ritual(s), political view(s), future vision(s) …etc, which varies among them but model the general image of their identity among others.
Stereotyping
Nevertheless, such variations of opinions inside one society can be either healthy or unhealthy depending on how citizens deal with their differences.
Citizens deal with each other among different scales of interaction; starting by the local, passing by the national/regional, and ends with the global one. Hence, I can understand debates and appreciates different opinions to be expressed freely in order to reach for something.
I however can hardly understand how such variations lead to friction unless we find the keystone for this which is ‘Fanaticism.’ I indentify it as an attitude that occurs when people narrow their vision among themselves only ignoring other members of the society, in case of local interaction, or ignoring other nations in case of global interactions. Consequently, fanaticism that escalate to reach the peak of dogmatism, is the perfect medium for such unhealthy and sometimes bloody frictions to take place.
Attitude
In fact, -surprisingly- if someone/some people do not share you the same view that does not mean they are blind; it is just because they do not have your eyes but theirs! Nevertheless, you always find that kind of exaggerating portrayed in three common cases:
- Bigotry: How people narrow their vision under the name of ‘protecting their identity’ but who said that this means neglecting, hating, and stereotyping others? Nothing expresses this but bigotry;
- Hypocrisy: How come that they accuse other members of society/other nations of applying ‘double standards’ whereas they apply it themselves among others who do not share their view? Nothing expresses this but hypocrisy;
- Dogmatism: Who have the right to place indulgence for others? No one but bigotries think they are the qualified to do so, regardless the faith, race or culture but it is worse when they manipulate things to serve them!
In a nutshell, if people want to reach for common grounds; they are called to highlight on their common characteristics. Such highlight shall not occur unless implementing something I see as “Awareness Process” which passes by three phases: (i) understanding their differences, (ii) respecting them and (iii) dealing with them in a constructive way that gives a straight forward push to the citizens locally and globally or else, the fog will never lift and the destructive way shall give a backward retreat!
Only two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. ~ [Albert Einstein]
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on July 25, 2009 | 12:23 AM
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July 26th, 2009 @ 16:52
Well said!
LindaN´s last blog ..Caernafon & NTPR-rally 13/6 -09
July 29th, 2009 @ 16:02
Thanks LindaN for your 1st visit to my Blog!
July 27th, 2009 @ 05:59
In addition, I realized that it has something to do with stress.
People in Hurghada for example are more tolerant to other people’s opinion than in Cairo. The high level of stress in cairo contributes to it.
Mohaly´s last blog ..584) 26th of July !
July 29th, 2009 @ 16:11
Indeed, Cairo is zipped with its problem. On the other hand, I think there is another problem with how people tighten themselves to the hatred speeches as the aftermath of following those who claim that they have the ultimate truth, which is found in many other cities.
July 28th, 2009 @ 00:48
I think, it is something like hiding the views about the topic or may be scared to share because they think they may be wrong.. am i thinking correct?
July 29th, 2009 @ 16:03
It’s about not accepting the other point of view.
August 14th, 2009 @ 23:50
Isn’t there anything like finding the similarities and respecting the differences? If this happens then there is a chance where everything will go in right way.
August 3rd, 2009 @ 09:24
You know, I just had this thought: I used to assume that people tend to be hypocritical because either they’re bad or they want bad for others, but I missed this; isn’t it because of their self-esteem?
Well, not all of them though, but I guess that personal problems, mostly, are the real cause behind those social issues.
People are sick, and we have a misconception about getting help in this area around here in the middle east, as exactly as we have a misconception about .. mmm .. everything else?
ibhog´s last blog ..Sticky People
August 4th, 2009 @ 20:15
Exactly, ibhog! It’s being self-esteem to the point that they don’t see/accept/try to understand other people.
August 3rd, 2009 @ 16:26
In my profession ,tunnel vission approach could be very dangerous .If any doc just looked at the patient as just having function malfunction and for some reason did not consider the whole issue he/ she will end up having relapsing patiens frequently or will reach more dead ends litteraly.
Sam sall´s last blog ..All I want is a little sleep
August 4th, 2009 @ 20:17
Actualy Sam, this mailfunction/disorder in the vision of the eye lead me to connect it to the mailfunction of understanding other people. It’s therefore a metafore!
August 4th, 2009 @ 14:59
At some point, I agree with you. What we believe may be different by what other believes. But it doesn’t mean that we or they are wrong. It happens taht people have different perception regarding different things.
August 4th, 2009 @ 20:17
You hit the nail on it’s head, Ventrilo.
August 4th, 2009 @ 19:26
You MUST be able to see it from another perspective besides your own. Yes be confident in your own ideas and thoughts, but never turn down suggestions and advice of others.
August 4th, 2009 @ 20:19
Unfortunately Cheif, MUST is implemented by the majority to be ‘MUST NOT’ understand! Hopefully they go for understanding!
August 16th, 2009 @ 07:58
It’s funny how there are people who can accept other views and opinions thereby living a fuller more peaceful life where others can not. It’s either their way or not at all. A lot of the time they learn this from their parents, or from their peers. This is why differences seem to be reborn over the generations.
Sire´s last blog ..WassupBlog’s Ultimate Blogging Contest