My method is: try direct experience (if possible). It will teach you more than any amount of speculation, but don't expect that what it does teach you will mean anything to someone who doesn't wish to give it any consideration, due to their own preconceived prejudice against it.

This can apply to just about anything under the sun.

There is a certain type of personality that derives a sense of emotional security from familiar, established values. That type will almost always attack or debunk new or "radical" ideas. Call it the archconservative approach to reality.

There is another type of personality that is fascinated by new or radical ideas, because it finds them exciting, and it wants to be "in the know" and set apart from the common "herd", so to speak. That type will leap onto any radical or offbeat bandwagon it comes across. Call it the liberal-radical approach to reality.

Those two types of personalities detest one another, and squabble constantly. They each consider the other to be an idiot, and themselves to be eminently reasonable and sensible.

Obviously, the trick here is...don't go to extremes...and remain open to considering the merits of both sides. The truth generally lies somewhere between the two extremes.

I get the impression, Bill, that your article was written by someone suffering from the first attitude I described above...the archconservative approach to reality.

- LH