Send Me a Green Mushroom

There's a tendency to get wrapped up in the "RIGHT--WRONG Game:" the favorite false dichotomy of all arguments and arguers alike. I mean, how many times have you been making a "point" and had someone throw their hands up and say, "You know, you're right and I was wrong!" It's not impossible, but highly improbable in my experience, especially when "convictions" are on the line. Assumptions are less 'volatile,' but nevertheless just as susceptible to being sidetracked from examining different points of view to character attacks, loud vocalizations, and general dismay.

We live in a "ONE-UP" culture, and everyone is scrambling for the top rung. We are all so afraid to hear propositions that might force us to think. Overtures which might conflict with our internal 'rightness' are met with defensiveness and fear. Most people are NOT involved with the conversation on the level of trying to learn, listen, and understand various ideas and points-of-view; they are out to prove that they are MORE intelligent, ethical, or wise than YOU.

Conversation is a wonderful event between sympathetic and peaceful parties, but vehement self-defense is always on the lookout to protect our intellectual property from any-and-all scathing contrasts.