You know that thing where someone says something like, Well, actually a snake is a mammal because many species of snake give birth to live babies. Snakes in the Sahara are always warm, so they are basically warm-blooded. And there’s a snake called a milk snake. You see, only a fool would call a snake a reptile.
Some politicians do this when they get caught lying or when they want to enact policies that harm the people they are supposed to serve.
Some religious leaders do it. They spin and twist and dance through miles of twisted logic and perversion of their scriptures to justify hating people they should love or getting rich off their poor followers.
Some secular gurus do it.
Abusive friends and partners do it.
When people with power – it’s definitely about power – do this you have a choice. Walk away or join their mental gymnastics club.
What it costs to be in the club is your ability to do independent thinking. You will have to hide from facts so you aren’t driven mad by cognitive dissonance. You will have to defend the indefensible to yourself and anyone outside the club who confronts you with reality.
What it costs to walk away depends on how deep your connections are with that political party, religion, organisation, person. It might mean writing off sunk costs. It might mean losing friends and income.
I think walking away, no matter how expensive, is always the better deal.
Obviously
Grow slowly
Jeff
This is a definite cut and paste for me. Love it.