Firesign Theater did a radio sketch in the late 60s that I remember well. Several hippies are talking assuring themselves and each other with the lines “I’m groovy. Are you groovy?,” “Yeah, I’m groovy.” and “We’re all groovy.”
Another man enters the scene and they start a new chorus. “He’s not groovy.” and “Hey, you’re not groovy.” The man protests that he is too, groovy. But the group decides that, in fact, the newcomer is not groovy and needs to be sent back to for regrooving. The result, they hope, is that the man will return groovy, just like them.
I understood hippies to favor peace, love and understanding in the world. Being different was OK. We should all have tolerance for one another, according to this counter culture. Turns out, they wanted everyone to be the same different as their different. The hypocrisy of “Tolerance for me, but not for thee,” was evident to my almost adolescent mind.
I’m often reminded of the self-groovy crowd when I hear people hold forth on their political opinions. Presidential election years seem to bring out the “groovier-than-thou” attitude in many Americans. Perhaps it is that I just hear from old hippies or wish-they-were-hippies.
I don’t decry this generation or this election cycle as being any worse than others. (I’d be happy to share the details of the Jefferson/Adams nastiness in 1796 and 1800 with anyone who is interested). I’m not really surprised, for instance, by those who loudly claim that George Bush has trampled civil rights and will shout down anyone who disagrees with them.
It’s easy to lose the capacity for rational thought when you refuse to consider opinions other than your own. You believe X. You only listen to people who believe X. It becomes easier and easier to be intolerant of any one who does not passionately embrace X.
The image of standing in an echo chamber shouting, comes to mind.
The case of CoachDeb is instructive here. CoachDeb is the Twitter name of Deborah Micek, a successful business mentor who lives in Hawaii. People follow her on Twitter, read her blogs, listen to her webinars and podcasts, buy her books and attend her seminars. People do all that because Deb helps them improve their business and make money.
To some of her followers, all the free advice and helpful instruction was not enough. Deb spoke her mind about the recent presidential debates. That wasn’t groovy, for some.
Deb noticed that more than a few people stopped accepting her free success advice because they didn’t agree with her politics. Not that it really hurt her bottom line. The incident just serves to illustrate the tendency of some people close up their minds when they get information they may have to think about. Even when it means losing access to information that could be very useful.
Those who have read this blog for very long may have already guessed my conclusion. I like to think about things and consider different points of view. I get comments from all sorts who have definite views on various topics. I thank you for sharing them. Honest discussion is valued here.
I like to think I have enough confidence in my positions to withstand criticism. And the ability to change my position when new information comes to my attention.
I’m just sayin’
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Tags: Deborah Micek, Twitter, United States presidential election 2008, United States presidential election debates
October 14th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I don’t know about groovy or hippie although I come from that era, the only group I felt I belonged to was “my generation” and I was a very green version lol…
my motto has always been “do as you would be done by” I think I am an extremely tolerant person,
if I choose not to believe I don’t want to be persuaded otherwise (too much) and visa versa, I respect other peoples beliefs as long as it’s not expected for me to be the same..also visa versa
it’s the age old thing of “give and take”…….and respect!
October 14th, 2008 at 11:05 am
@sandra -
The problem I have is how can you disagree with what Obama has to say? Who doesn’t want lower taxes, health care for everyone, not to have to pay your mortgage, more and better paying jobs? He even comes up with solutions. Not enough jobs: All young people get government jobs in the military, government service, or the peace corp. Problem solved. Health care: All businesses must provide health care to emplpyees or get rid of those employees that you can’t afford to give health care to. Anyone that doesn’t wind up with health care (probably no job also by default) will be given free health care… the same as what congress gets (does that include the preventative health spa and work out area? Probablly not.) Housing: we will lower your loan amount to match your house value or lower the interest rate or… and if you lose your job.. well we will deal with the details AFTER the election. But hay… free stuff and less taxes… vote Obama. Whats that about a bridge…?
October 14th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I definitely agree. There was a similar feeling in the Punk Rock culture. Independence, sadly, is hardly ever a group cause.
October 14th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
@stephen50 -
Obama has some good ideas. Most candidates do. I think I can find something I agree with all the national candidates, including Nader and Barr, even Palin has some good ideas.
But I have yet to find a candidate who I agree with on every issue. That’s my point here. I don’t like to judge an issue based on who is for it or against it. And I certainly don’t like being judged by what someone else thinks I believe.
I respect your right to an opinion. I just ask that you reciprocate.
October 17th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Everybody’s opinion is important to them and should be respected for that.
This is what I have on my stumbleupon page:
Vote! (image)
This year is too important to leave to the polls and pundits.
If you think your candidate is a sure winner, vote! It might not be so sure as you think.
If you think your candidate is going to lose without any doubt, vote! The other candidate’s people might have stayed home, because he was a “sure thing.”
Vote!
http://skedaddle.stumbleupon.com/
October 18th, 2008 at 8:58 am
@Mike Goad -
Voting is the responsibility of citizens in a democracy. You have the power. Figure out who the best candidate is and vote. Thanks Mike.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:04 am
The beauty of voting is that it is private. We don’t have to tell how we voted. So, if “fitting in” and “being groovy” matters to you… you are covered. Continue to act like you believe what everyone in your group believes, then vote your own mind.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
@Myra -
Voting is a private act. You are right, you can vote however you want. My point is that we need a bit true tolerance. The tyranny of a social majority shouldn’t make outcasts of those with different idea. I see it often, and call upon my readers to listen and not prejudge.