[vivaldirules]

I like learning about and discussing major issues that need to be dealt with but I really dislike the politics that inevitably get tied up with such discussions. For example, U.S. health care reform is really complex and very interesting in the details and it would undoubtedly be very useful for people to learn by struggling through those details and discussing alternative ways to change them. This is what technocrats do, although generally they are far more familiar with the details and their implications and don't have to start from scratch like most citizens would. But it is absolutely impossible to have any discussion with anyone anywhere these day on a subject like this without opinions popping out, usually those based on the person's political leaning. And usually it gets ugly in a hurry. (I'm not speaking about MobileRead but rather people everywhere.) Why? Why can't we discuss something rationally and dispassionately? I don't think that people understand the meaning of those words any more. But I hope some day we all do and maybe appreciate them. And don't let me imply that I think I'm somehow immune to the disease I think nearly all of us have. I've had my share of irrationality and passion, too.