Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Vista, CA
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Tal Tales
Idealism vs. denial of reality.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
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Not having read or seen Man of La Mancha, I can't really comment on what I think he was saying.

However, it seems to me that you're making things a bit more complicated than they need to be. Hold on to your idealism, assume the best of people and the world, and expect that they can and should live up to those high ideals. However, don't blind yourself to reality to such an extent that you're not really aware of what's happening around you.

In terms of politics, lying to cover your ass is NOT idealism. There is a difference between denying reality by believing the world is a better place than it actually is, and denying reality in order to further your goals by misleading others.

And I'm not sure I agree there is any good to be obtained in ignoring those hurt by your attempts to further some idealistic (and possibly unrealistic) goal.

So basically, keep your head in the clouds but your feet on the ground, if that makes any sense. At least, that's my take on the whole idealism thing.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Roshigoth
In terms of politics, lying to cover your ass is NOT idealism. There is a difference between denying reality by believing the world is a better place than it actually is, and denying reality in order to further your goals by misleading others.

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Yeah, that's basically what I was trying to say. Except you said it better. In about 1% of the space.

quote:

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And I'm not sure I agree there is any good to be obtained in ignoring those hurt by your attempts to further some idealistic (and possibly unrealistic) goal.

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I never meant to imply that there was some good in that--quite the opposite, I was trying to say that that is one of the pitfalls of idealism carried too far. I am very sorry if I gave the impression of endorsing that kind of behavior. When I said "You can't let that get in the way of the dream!", I was being sarcastic. (Actually, I was paraphrasing Morden of Babylon 5, who, if you've ever seen the show, you know is not a nice person.

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Registered: Aug 2000
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So we pretty much agree, then.

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Yeah. I've never quite found a satisfying rationale for how to find the appropriate level of head in clouds vs. feet on ground, though.

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Ah, yeah. I just sort of wing it, though I tend to err on the ground side of things. (Which generally results in my complaining a lot, in case you haven't noticed. )

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