There are two kinds of people in the world… those who believe there are two kinds of people in the world, and those who do not…

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

As an armchair student of the human psyche I always find it interesting not so much that there are differences of opinion — because there always will be — but that some folks feel a compulsion to beat down/innihilate/criticize/bully those with a different perspective from their own… be they religious zealots, politicians or economists.

It’s that “I disagree with you… and therefore YOU MUST DIE!” mindset. As if the mere existence of an alternative opinion is a threat to their very reality and the foundation upon which their lives are built. I experienced this especially during the twenty or so years I lived in Texas — “Your opinion about barbecue is meaningless because you are not a person of faith!”

Meh… I keep coming back to the somewhat disturbing notion that our shrinking ability to engage in critical analysis and thinking at a personal level is causing a giant “closing of minds” that will leave us (as a society) eternally embroiled in dispute, distrust, dislike and war.