Polite society dictates that we avoid controversial subjects.
Yet, if you feel your time on Earth is precious and worth protecting, maybe you should ask your date how they feel about the end of the world. It’s a shortcut to knowing not just how much another has to share, but a way for you to let yourself be known, trusting, and vulnerable.
Finding out whether someone is optimistic, realistic, or in denial about the state of the world today is hugely informative. It will usually tell you whether he or she feels a need to improve upon the way we move through life on Earth in these modern times, or whether they are fearful about change and conservative in their views about tradition, roles, and society.
You can find out the fascinating details about someone’s background, religious faith or lack thereof, their attitudes about politics, pollution, education, gender and sexuality, science and philosophy, health and lifestyle, and maybe more.
Most of all, it’s important to share insights. It’s sometimes invaluable to know whether someone feels empowerment or hopelessness. Having differing opinions is advisable, because it’s the only way we gain insight into how others came to believe as they do.
An open-minded individual may also be revealed. If a person holds complete certainty about any topic or expertise, they may instantly shut down discussion. This could be a red flag, or an opportunity.
It is foremost an opportunity to see whether a person is open to solutions for societal and global ills, or if they merely scapegoat and find ways to assign blame. Politics, especially these days, is mostly finger-pointing, not problem solving. It serves tribalism, and rewards in groups at the expense of out groups. Sure, it’s normal to grouse and snark, some. But if it doesn’t come with some hope for improvement of our human lot, it may just be toxic.
Even when talking about doom and gloom, though, you can find ways to keep it light. Humor is the best infusion when we are getting to know someone else. Their perspective may be as dire as doomsday, but we are all better off if we can view even that with levity.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Taylor Prince on Unsplash
