The opposite thread

[kool maudit]

I think it is pretty clear that these are polarized times, and that many of us, myself included, find it frustrating that the way we see things is not the way others do. After all, polarization comes from a place of deep concern, and the psychological mechanism that ratchets it up comes from our worry that if our most deeply held values are not shared, we could see a future in which they are not respected or observed.

That said, such processes also take on a life of their own, because all things that exist wish to continue doing so, and the result can be a dimmer understanding of the world around us as the ol' amygdala takes over more and more of our thinking.

So this is the opposite thread, and in it, I propose we take various fragments of the Canadian current events landscape and comment on them from what we might perceive as "the other side", and thus try and inhabit these perspectives and see what they look like from the inside.

It would be too easy to make this into an exercise in satire, so please, none of the "to find Flanders, you have to think like Flanders" approach where thinking like Flanders means going "I'm a big four-eyed lame-o" etc.

• Video Link

This should instead be more of a high school debate-type thing where you actually argue the other side.

Let's stick to Canada and mainstream news outlets so that we are not tempted to reach for strange foreign dictators or wild-eyed fringe figures from the US.

I'll start:

B.C. premier says it's 'outrageous' people are travelling to Vancouver Island, but has no plans to stop it

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...inue-1.5978321

What this story says to me is that our governing bodies lack both the willingness and the legal ability to take the actions necessary to stamp out COVID-19.

Given the spread of many new dangerous variants, and the localized nature of infection processes, Canadians need to give serious thought to implementing practices that curb internal travel within our provinces.
Whether this takes the form of enhanced tracking or a new technological overlay, our battle against COVID-19 is far from over and our governments need new and broader powers to do whatever is necessary to bring the case rate to zero, as is the focus in New Zealand.

[SignalHillHiker]

Well, as a bayman, I am goddamn sick and tired of people sitting on their arses in St. John's robbing us blind.

So I was thrilled when, under pressure from the provincial government, the federal government moved Marine Atlantic's headquarters from St. John's to Port-aux-Basques. This is where it should be, after all, all the passengers on the ferry are coming to Port-aux-Basques by definition. The ferry lands here and most of them will need a hotel either here or somewhere on the 10-hour drive to St. John's. That's good for our economy. When the Minister was asked how he felt about families in St. John's being torn apart, spouses quitting their jobs, kids leaving their schools and friends, and he said "I don't care." By Jesus, I rolled. He's from just up the road and I agrees with him, b'y, fuck the lot of them in town. Bums. St. John's has been reaping the benefits of our resources for far too long. Without us supporting them, it wouldn't even exist - what the fuck would anyone need to be living out there for? The capital should be Corner Brook, closer to Canada. Everything would be more efficient and affordable.

Marine Atlantic spending millions on new office in Port aux Basques, but won't say how much

The Crown corporation that runs the ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia says it has the green light from Ottawa to begin construction on a new multimillion-dollar administration building in Port aux Basques.

Marine Atlantic on Tuesday said the federal government had offered final approval for the new building.

In 2018 the corporation acquired land in the town for the office, which will replace an aging administration building it owns.

"There's been some problems with it through the years," said spokesperson Darrell Mercer. "The repair bill on that is adding up."

The corporation also rents three other facilities spread around Port aux Basques, but will vacate those office spaces after the new administration building, at 175 Hardy's Arterial Rd., opens. Some employees from those offices will be shuffled into the new building, according to Mercer, while others will set up shop at the ferry terminal.

"By constructing a brand-new facility, the plan there is to bring those employees together," Mercer said, solving some logistical issues for Marine Atlantic administration.

The ferry operator would not disclose the price tag of the project, however, citing the need to first select bids for various construction contracts before it releases its estimate. "We don't want to put any of those exact numbers out, simply because it will be a competitive process," Mercer said.

"Right now, the only information that we are going to provide is that it is a multimillion-dollar facility."

He also declined to comment on any spending caps for the project.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfo...tion-1.5977408

[Architype]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Well, as a bayman, I am goddamn sick and tired of people sitting on their arses in St. John's robbing us blind. ...

This really doesn't sound like you. You are usually so pro St. John's.

@ kool maudit, good catch, Horgan is speaking out of both sides of his mouth, and ends up doing nothing.

[Marshal]

"False equivalency," is not a favourite expression of mine, but: a lot of the polarization of these times is based upon false equivalencies. Among the people who believe in reason and science, there is no more polarization than usual.

[kool maudit]

Spoken like a true man of the Enlightenment!

[biguc]

Originally Posted by kool maudit

I think it is pretty clear that these are polarized times, and that many of us, myself included, find it frustrating that the way we see things is not the way others do. After all, polarization comes from a place of deep concern, and the psychological mechanism that ratchets it up comes from our worry that if our most deeply held values are not shared, we could see a future in which they are not respected or observed.

That said, such processes also take on a life of their own, because all things that exist wish to continue doing so, and the result can be a dimmer understanding of the world around us as the ol' amygdala takes over more and more of our thinking.

So this is the opposite thread, and in it, I propose we take various fragments of the Canadian current events landscape and comment on them from what we might perceive as "the other side", and thus try and inhabit these perspectives and see what they look like from the inside.

It would be too easy to make this into an exercise in satire, so please, none of the "to find Flanders, you have to think like Flanders" approach where thinking like Flanders means going "I'm a big four-eyed lame-o" etc.

Polarization isn't about caring; it's about winning an imaginary fight against an imaginary enemy. It's an exercise in buying ready-to-beat strawmen from people on your "side" and flogging the shit out of the strawmen for the approval of the same people. It's nothing but a late stage in a still-endless culture war, its combatants whittled down to the dumbest and most brutal. Engaging in polarized conversation is impossible without sinking to this level.
An exercise in satire is too fine an instrument in a world of cudgels and flint hatchets.

[Architype]

We could go all George Costanza here.

• Video Link

[kool maudit]

Exactly! We will unlock hidden powers.

[kool maudit]

By the way, I am really excited to see Mark Carney step onto the stage of Canadian politics. All too often, our country twists in a wind of distractions, debating issues that would be handled far better by expert policymakers than by the messy tumult of opinion page cranks arousing inaccurate passions in unqualified hosts.

We elect our leaders to -- you guessed it -- lead, and Carney's experience in the halls of London power and in the data-driven world of central banking that ensures our collective wealth means he is a cut above the strange roosters pushed before us by small-time horse traders and regional mountebanks.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politi...-controversies

[biguc]

I wouldn't think about it.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Well, as a bayman, I am goddamn sick and tired of people sitting on their arses in St. John's robbing us blind.

So I was thrilled when, under pressure from the provincial government, the federal government moved Marine Atlantic's headquarters from St. John's to Port-aux-Basques. This is where it should be, after all, all the passengers on the ferry are coming to Port-aux-Basques by definition. The ferry lands here and most of them will need a hotel either here or somewhere on the 10-hour drive to St. John's. That's good for our economy. When the Minister was asked how he felt about families in St. John's being torn apart, spouses quitting their jobs, kids leaving their schools and friends, and he said "I don't care." By Jesus, I rolled. He's from just up the road and I agrees with him, b'y, fuck the lot of them in town. Bums. St. John's has been reaping the benefits of our resources for far too long. Without us supporting them, it wouldn't even exist - what the fuck would anyone need to be living out there for? The capital should be Corner Brook, closer to Canada. Everything would be more efficient and affordable.

Marine Atlantic spending millions on new office in Port aux Basques, but won't say how much



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfo...tion-1.5977408

Let's see the glass half-full: that multimillion dollar building is at least cheaper than Muskrat Falls

[MolsonExport]

Logic and Migs are polar opposites. The twain shall never meet.

[kool maudit]

Ideally you would have praised his erudition and common sense, given the premise.

[niwell]

Originally Posted by kool maudit

By the way, I am really excited to see Mark Carney step onto the stage of Canadian politics. All too often, our country twists in a wind of distractions, debating issues that would be handled far better by expert policymakers than by the messy tumult of opinion page cranks arousing inaccurate passions in unqualified hosts.

We elect our leaders to -- you guessed it -- lead, and Carney's experience in the halls of London power and in the data-driven world of central banking that ensures our collective wealth means he is a cut above the strange roosters pushed before us by small-time horse traders and regional mountebanks.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politi...-controversies

Doug Ford has faced a significant amount of criticism as of late for his handling of COVID, the provincial "emergency brake" and recent stay at home order. Some people say that it doesn't make sense to close small scale retail and patios while allowing things like major industrial operators and schools to remain open. While it's true that there may not be much spread associated with the former (and most with the latter) it's more important to send a message to Ontarians that everyone has to do their part while ensuring that the backbone of our economy continues to function unabated. It's important to hear this strong messaging to remind people that they can't get complacent, and that we come out of this on a strong economic footing.

[Architype]

But how do we know what the opposite really is?
Some things have multiple opposites, and some things have no opposite.
What is the opposite of middle class?

[biguc]

Originally Posted by Architype

But how do we know what the opposite really is?
Some things have multiple opposites, and some things have no opposite.
What is the opposite of middle class?

Your mirror image is in no way your opposite.

[JHikka]

I think this thread is a great idea and I look forward to it thriving into the future.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by JHikka

I think this thread is a great idea and I look forward to it thriving into the future.

Your post is one of the worst I've ever read on SSP.

[Acajack]

This thread is tailor-made for our era of unparallelled self-awareness and self-deprecation, where almost no one takes themselves, their pet issues or pet causes too seriously.

[swimmer_spe]

Opposite thread?

I think that Via should be shut down. If it cannot make a profit, it shouldn't exist.

I think roads should not be widened more than a lane each way unless it is in gridlock.

I think all cities should be nothing but high rises.

This is fun.....