The Importance Of Being Nuanced | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Importance Of Being Nuanced

Learning to lean without falling.

628
The Importance Of Being Nuanced
Cool Conversations Live

Nuances, the subtle differences in meaning or expression, are important. The slightest distinction between two views -- for example, the difference between "drinking alcohol is bad" and "drinking alcohol is bad in excess" -- can totally change their meanings to the point where two people with those different views may end up largely opposed to the other. This is all well and good because nuanced debate is often healthy. The problem occurs when people lack nuanced views and end up seeing the world totally in extremes and absolutes, and it is not an uncommon problem.

As with most common problems, this one is reflected in politics, which tend to be all or nothing. Candidates are usually either for or against an idea, with no middle ground. We either need to regulate every business into a borderline extension of the government, or we need to never regulate anything and let corporations have the free reign to enact whatever abusive policies they'd like without consequence.

This is, in part, due to the polarizing effect of having parties that need to be conformed to and pandered to rather than candidates who stand for their own values, but it is also human nature to an extent. People jump to extremes because they feel safe. If you draw dividing lines up between yourself and an enemy and see everything in black and white, then it's easy to organize the world you live in and we're drawn to that. The thing is, we don't live in a world where things are that simple. We live in a world that constantly demands nuanced views and critical evaluations.

Next time you want to make an argument that all things are one way or that something extreme needs to be done in response to a problem, stop and ask yourself, "Are all things this way? Does the task at hand require an extreme solution?" Everybody has biases and everybody is susceptible to them. So questioning oneself is vital to keeping with an appropriately nuanced perspective. Try replacing the words "all" or "none" with "many" or "few" and see if that fits the bill better. See if there is a way to accomplish a goal without going to the very edge of an ideology. In the end, it will make you more equipped to deal with conflict in a healthy manner and it will likely make your beliefs more accurate as well.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

669720
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

567031
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments