I think this really stood it to me - “Why are we culturally in a state where opinions must be absolute?”
I don’t have the proof for it, but I think the internet has sort of stolen our ability to talk to each, despite all our ‘connectivity’. I don’t know if we’ll ever really fix that again. But the fact that you’ve positioned your piece with “If/ And” with no ultimatum but simply an invitation to think - shows that there is still hope for the thinking person to possibly overcome the absolutist.
I appreciate you reading this, Matthew! Sometimes I feel a bit of guilt for not having a strong stance in the personal essay space, but I was trained as a journalist ten years ago and we were always asking to look at both sides. Let's hope we can all promote more slow-thinking in a fast-response world.
Thanks for sharing my piece about Bluey! And also, I can relate to this idea of "aren't I ever allowed to change my mind?" and "Can we believe one thing while also believing something else that may seem contradictory?"
Sometimes I feel like we're not allowed to do either in the current waters we swim in, as mothers and just as human beings. It's so limiting. Lacks nuance. Restricts transformation.
And I get the criticism of Barbie, which I wholeheartedly loved AND saw the flaws within it. I'd rather live in a both/and world rather than an either/or world, personally.
I think this really stood it to me - “Why are we culturally in a state where opinions must be absolute?”
I don’t have the proof for it, but I think the internet has sort of stolen our ability to talk to each, despite all our ‘connectivity’. I don’t know if we’ll ever really fix that again. But the fact that you’ve positioned your piece with “If/ And” with no ultimatum but simply an invitation to think - shows that there is still hope for the thinking person to possibly overcome the absolutist.
I appreciate you reading this, Matthew! Sometimes I feel a bit of guilt for not having a strong stance in the personal essay space, but I was trained as a journalist ten years ago and we were always asking to look at both sides. Let's hope we can all promote more slow-thinking in a fast-response world.
Thanks for sharing my piece about Bluey! And also, I can relate to this idea of "aren't I ever allowed to change my mind?" and "Can we believe one thing while also believing something else that may seem contradictory?"
Sometimes I feel like we're not allowed to do either in the current waters we swim in, as mothers and just as human beings. It's so limiting. Lacks nuance. Restricts transformation.
And I get the criticism of Barbie, which I wholeheartedly loved AND saw the flaws within it. I'd rather live in a both/and world rather than an either/or world, personally.
I really enjoyed your piece!