Nuance

Yesterday I wrote about the inner need I have to always be right.

That led to a conversation with a friend about nuance. It’s something I have been thinking about for a while, and it turns out so has he.

Brent thinks men are worse with nuance than women. He attributes it to our survival instinct where there’s little room for nuance. He also thinks most of us are taught there’s a definite right and a definite wrong, and also that God is perceived as un-nuanced and therefore we should be too. He says Black or White is easy, nuance is difficult, and the crowds are larger at the extremes of black and white issues, and therefore it’s more comforting to be in one of those groups.

I think he’s right. Polarization or Tribalism pressures us to pick a side, rather than explore the gray areas. We don’t want to seem weak or disloyal. In our outrage culture, clicks and comments are generated by the loudest voices, not the often wiser voices...which are usually quieter.

We live in echo chambers of like-minded people, and let emotions rise above careful thought. Who has time for careful thought these days? Plus, social media and short attention spans don’t allow complexity or thoughtful analysis.

My daughter attends a local Christian high school, and one of their objectives is to teach the students critical thinking. Certainly there is a world-view that is promoted, but teaching kids how to analyze multiple perspectives, ask deeper questions, and learn how to hold two opposing ideas in tension is a lost skill.

We’re drowning in information yet starving for knowledge.

I find myself scrolling past the mindless outrage-of-the-day posts from the usual suspects. I’d take them more seriously if they were at least occasionally outraged by people on their own side of the aisle. If they were honest, and took the time to add context or nuance, I think they would.

Knowledge requires context. Good decisions require nuance.

Nuance requires me to ask questions first, and react later. Context provides a foundation for determining the truth.

Proverbs 18:17:

"The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him"

May I be the first to slow down, listen, and think before I speak or type.