Since I’ve been posting again to metafilter, a collaborative community weblog, I’ve been reminded of the essential differences in opinion between people. I don’t really identify myself as a liberal or as a conservative, although in many ways because we live in a very conservative country I tend to reject the credulousness and nostalgia that conservatives have for a past that never really existed. A past where everyone was kind, white, and religious. In conservatism’s desire to return to the past or to maintain the status quo I see a fear of change and freedom (especially other people’s freedom) and a desire to believe in leaders. They often seem to feel attacked or besieged or in the minority, very defensive which makes them behave in a reactionary manner. That’s not to say that some liberals and apologists for the state do not possess these same qualities, but people of a conservative frame of mind seem to be very uniform in this feeling. Of course, I’m biased.
Why are you awake at 6:55 AM? What is wrong with you?