Absolute speech is killing our critical thinking skills.
Studies show that at least half of social media traffic is generated by bots designed to rile us up, manipulate our emotions, and drive engagement at any cost.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just the bots. Many of us, consciously or not, default to speaking in absolutes rather than using nuanced language that better reflects the complexity of most situations.
What are absolutes?
Saying “ALL (insert group) are lazy” instead of “SOME (insert group) are lazy.” Saying “ANYONE who voted for (insert candidate) is an idiot” instead of “SOME people who voted for (candidate) might not share my perspective.”
Sure, it’s easier to generalize. Absolute language can feel simpler, quicker, and even cathartic. But the damage we do to our collective understanding when we refuse to think critically and speak thoughtfully is piling up fast.
Think about the times when someone generalizes you for something you said, thought, or a group that you are a part of. Doesn’t it feel like shit? Doesn’t it feel like an injustice? Don’t you hate when they do that?
If so, you have two choices in that moment:
- Engage in the same childish behavior until you both run out of energy, leaving you stewing in your anger.
- Take the antidote.
What is the antidote? Nuance. Thoughtfulness. Desiring happiness vs. defeating strangers on the internet.
To those who embrace nuance, who push back against hyperbole and oversimplification, I salute you. Keep fighting the good fight—you’re making the world a little smarter, one conversation at a time.
To those who want to, but don't know where to start, I'd love to chat.