Poisoned Listening

Millions of people have been trained to pre-poison their communications; to accept a layer of subtext before they hear the first word. This is a very dangeous habit, and also very common in this, the age of the algo.

Let’s illustrate by picking on one of the guiltiest culprits: the anti-mating complex:

If you’re committed to the man-o-sphere, you begin by watching for things to condemn if the speaker is female.

If you’re committed to the feminism, you begin by watching for things to condemn if the speaker is male.

The same goes for more or less every binary, of course. If you begin by noticing any sort of binary divide, you are mixing poison with your congition.

And please understand this: It is quite possible for a maniac to spout correct ideas. It’s even more possible for your enemy to have a useful idea. To reject ideas because you merely disagree with the speaker is stupid, and a slayer of progress.

And to close, we once again go back to Jesus: Take heed how you hear.