Here are three ways we react to opposing ideas: 1) We can rationally consider what opponents say, weigh the pros and cons logically, and accept or reject partial or full arguments as reasonable alternatives to our own positions; yeah, not so much for most people, but for some, well, yeah; 2) We can respond emotionally and insecurely with regard to our own positions, resisting the inward flow of any counter arguments regardless of their reasonableness; yeah, sometimes we lose control; and 3) We can acknowledge that all arguments have an assumptive basis and that until we can alter assumptions, we can’t expect the free flow of ideas and any agreement we seek; yeah, assumptions can act like thick wires or insulators that impede the transfer of electrons.*
In the first reaction to opposition, we allow other ideas, regardless of their alien nature, to flow like electrons through the neurons of the frontal cortex like electrons through a superconductor. In the latter two reactions, we resist to various degrees any conductance of ideas. We can measure our resistance by the heat of emotions, like measuring the resistance of an imperfect conductor that gets a bit warm when electrons back up during a subatomic traffic jam. When emotions are involved, arguments become as exothermic as the movement of electrons backing up at thick hot wire.
Someone should develop an objective measure of “idea resistivity,” some measure of idea-ohms. Surely, the scale of measurement would include some transfer of heat as an argument slows progress on some isolated and divisive issue. Observe any argument between two people (or self-observe your own argument with another). Is it an exothermic argument because of the level of resistance? Further, because of the conservation of energy—emotional heat in this instance—ask whether or not the “heated” argument affects others in the vicinity, others to whom the heat is transferred regardless of their degree of involvement.
In an already hot room, resistance increases. Cooler temperatures effect a freer flow of ideas as well as a freer flow of electrons. Superconductors work at cold temperatures. The ideal, of course, is the room-temperature superconductor.
Compromise decreases resistivity and, therefore, gives off less heat to the environment. Compromise is a superconductor.
*Just a quick note about a passage that caught my eye: In his first inaugural address in March, 1801, Thomas Jefferson said, "...every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle...." And he goes on to say, "...error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it...."
In the first reaction to opposition, we allow other ideas, regardless of their alien nature, to flow like electrons through the neurons of the frontal cortex like electrons through a superconductor. In the latter two reactions, we resist to various degrees any conductance of ideas. We can measure our resistance by the heat of emotions, like measuring the resistance of an imperfect conductor that gets a bit warm when electrons back up during a subatomic traffic jam. When emotions are involved, arguments become as exothermic as the movement of electrons backing up at thick hot wire.
Someone should develop an objective measure of “idea resistivity,” some measure of idea-ohms. Surely, the scale of measurement would include some transfer of heat as an argument slows progress on some isolated and divisive issue. Observe any argument between two people (or self-observe your own argument with another). Is it an exothermic argument because of the level of resistance? Further, because of the conservation of energy—emotional heat in this instance—ask whether or not the “heated” argument affects others in the vicinity, others to whom the heat is transferred regardless of their degree of involvement.
In an already hot room, resistance increases. Cooler temperatures effect a freer flow of ideas as well as a freer flow of electrons. Superconductors work at cold temperatures. The ideal, of course, is the room-temperature superconductor.
Compromise decreases resistivity and, therefore, gives off less heat to the environment. Compromise is a superconductor.
*Just a quick note about a passage that caught my eye: In his first inaugural address in March, 1801, Thomas Jefferson said, "...every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle...." And he goes on to say, "...error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it...."
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