Conceived in one of my punnier moments, this flippant piece hints at a few useful reminders about framing differing opinions. Opinions are based on an individual's interpretation of data seen through the filter of personal values which evolved from their socio-economic, religious, cultural, racial, ableness, age, and gender experiences. When people attach their identity to their opinions, arguments escalate: growing a lawn looks like an attack on wildlife; not getting vaccinated looks like a political statement; forgetting to take the trash to the curb looks like rebellion. The argument, then, is no longer one of resolving the issue at hand, but of defending an entire value system. And when values are threatened the draw bridge goes up, archers man the parapets, and #OkBoomer goes viral.
Brain vs Prawn reminds us that it's ok to disagree, and even to argue your point, but to keep a balanced sensibility about it. After all, the ability to express and reconcile differing opinions is part of our evolutionary path.