What I've Learned

I began writing this column as a way to describe my opinions outright. I wanted to take on my thoughts without being swayed or influenced by external pressures. I have done that.

I started writing fairly certain of my own thoughts and ideals, but have come to realize, while grappling with my own misconceptions, that I was failing to see clearly. As a result, I have not necessarily changed my values, but have definitely changed my views. I have altered my perception of civil rights, minimum wage, and the value of protests in trying to ensure I am the best educated on my positions. I realized I was, sometimes, anything but aware.

I have had to contend with the fact that much of what is thought about the world cannot be debated. Facts are simply that, and they are unalterable. Is it the hottest year on record? Yes. I watched Ryan Zinke tell a Senate Committee that he does not believe climate change is a “hoax”, and that he even believes it is man-made. He did concede that the debate is how to deal with it.

I was proud at that moment that he chose to abandon politics, and support the inherent truth. Now, maybe, we can sort out a way to work on the problem. In the same way I have come to realize that once I accept certain facts my views change, and I began looking to solve the problem not argue its existence. Zinke did the same thing.

We have to rely heavily on institutions to provide us with evidence. Unless we want to run every experiment ourself. The FBI provides us with investigative facts, the CIA with Intelligence, the scientific community with, while, science, doctors with studies on immunizations, and so on. If we fail to view the professional world as dispassionate thinkers and investigators than we are doomed to a world of “alternative” facts. This will road block any chance we have of finding solutions to the worlds most pressing problems. If we cannot agree that a problem exists then we certainly cannot fix it.

I have tried, as I have set out to communicate my views, to first find the truth, and then look for answers. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when Zinke made a claim counter to his political party platform, and I hope he looks for a common-sense way to fix it in his capacity as Secretary of the Interior, but I digress.