The way forward for "Progressive America"

... or for any sect of America, or any sect of anywhere, really.

I was at the "In Search of Progressive America" book promotion event last night, and came to the realization of what one should definitely not do if one wants to promote their ideology or philosophy to others that might not currently share it.

And that is to sit around with people that think just like you, make all-too-easy snide comments about "the other side", and talking about how or why we're smarter than everyone else.

Don't get me wrong, I get equally annoyed when the conservatives do that (which they often do) too.

It simply does not challenge you to make the best argument you can, or keep you on your toes about every word you say, when everyone who's listening to you will nod in agreement. More importantly, it doesn't make you beat yourself up thinking, "am I thinking the right thing? does this really make sense? is this really the best idea?"

Israel and Palestine are not going to resolve their conflict by each talking amongst themselves, and neither are China and Taiwan, or all other countries, parties, groups in the world that are at odds with another. The way to change the world is to make disagreeing parties live together as neighbors -- clearly I don't mean it in just the geographic sense, since most of them already do, but in a relationship sense. I have come from an environment more or less like that, and there really is nothing like putting a human (and friendly) face on a disagreement.

Crazy thought... the next time you run into someone you know that thinks very differently, sit down with him, hear him out without trying to contradict every sentence he says (even in your thoughts!), and maybe he'll do the same as well. I know it sounds easy, but I doubt many can say that they've truly done so in their lives.

I, for one, will be the first to admit that I haven't.