How to Not Be a Sith | Josh Bohr | TEDxChilliwack

there’s there’s a scene at the end of

there’s there’s a scene at the end of the third Star Wars movie that’s revenge

the third Star Wars movie that’s revenge

the third Star Wars movie that’s revenge of the sith I know that’s the prequels

of the sith I know that’s the prequels

of the sith I know that’s the prequels they stink I get it it’s not the

they stink I get it it’s not the

they stink I get it it’s not the classics don’t hate me I had a momentary

classics don’t hate me I had a momentary

classics don’t hate me I had a momentary bit of nostalgia and I just went back

bit of nostalgia and I just went back

bit of nostalgia and I just went back and watched them don’t hate me please

and watched them don’t hate me please

and watched them don’t hate me please please okay but there was actually a

please okay but there was actually a

please okay but there was actually a scene in this third movie that caught my

scene in this third movie that caught my

scene in this third movie that caught my attention and you mind if I reenact it

attention and you mind if I reenact it

attention and you mind if I reenact it here for you would that be ok ok all

here for you would that be ok ok all

here for you would that be ok ok all right I’m gonna do it anyways even to

right I’m gonna do it anyways even to

right I’m gonna do it anyways even to those of you who shook your heads so to

those of you who shook your heads so to

those of you who shook your heads so to set the scene we’re all familiar there’s

set the scene we’re all familiar there’s

set the scene we’re all familiar there’s the Jedi good guys and thus if the bad

the Jedi good guys and thus if the bad

the Jedi good guys and thus if the bad guys even though the sets are cooler ah

guys even though the sets are cooler ah

guys even though the sets are cooler ah so obi-wan is a Jedi one of the good

so obi-wan is a Jedi one of the good

so obi-wan is a Jedi one of the good guys and he’s confronting his former

guys and he’s confronting his former

guys and he’s confronting his former apprentice Anakin who was a good guy and

apprentice Anakin who was a good guy and

apprentice Anakin who was a good guy and has now turned into a bad guy and so

has now turned into a bad guy and so

has now turned into a bad guy and so Anakin is there and he he’s going on and

Anakin is there and he he’s going on and

Anakin is there and he he’s going on and on about all of his accomplishments and

on about all of his accomplishments and

on about all of his accomplishments and he’s saying I brought order and justice

he’s saying I brought order and justice

he’s saying I brought order and justice and security to my new empire and

and security to my new empire and

and security to my new empire and obi-wan’s over here and he says your new

obi-wan’s over here and he says your new

obi-wan’s over here and he says your new empire Anakin my allegiance is to the

empire Anakin my allegiance is to the

empire Anakin my allegiance is to the Republic to democracy in Anakin says if

Republic to democracy in Anakin says if

Republic to democracy in Anakin says if you are not with me then you are my

you are not with me then you are my

you are not with me then you are my enemy in obi-wan says only a Sith deals

enemy in obi-wan says only a Sith deals

enemy in obi-wan says only a Sith deals in absolutes Anakin that that’s drawing

in absolutes Anakin that that’s drawing

in absolutes Anakin that that’s drawing the lightsaber by the way I will do what

the lightsaber by the way I will do what

the lightsaber by the way I will do what I must ok now I am a political science

I must ok now I am a political science

I must ok now I am a political science major like Michael mentioned and so I

major like Michael mentioned and so I

major like Michael mentioned and so I have sometimes been forced to study

have sometimes been forced to study

have sometimes been forced to study politics fairly closely for the past

politics fairly closely for the past

politics fairly closely for the past four years I could use a detox but at

four years I could use a detox but at

four years I could use a detox but at the end of these 18 minutes and over the

the end of these 18 minutes and over the

the end of these 18 minutes and over the course of studying politics I’ve noticed

course of studying politics I’ve noticed

course of studying politics I’ve noticed a pattern mindset if you will that kind

a pattern mindset if you will that kind

a pattern mindset if you will that kind of permeates the way in which people not

of permeates the way in which people not

of permeates the way in which people not only just think about politics but more

only just think about politics but more

only just think about politics but more specifically the way they talk about

specifically the way they talk about

specifically the way they talk about politics to illustrate that let’s do

politics to illustrate that let’s do

politics to illustrate that let’s do this exact same scene again with

this exact same scene again with

this exact same scene again with slightly different dialogue ok so we got

slightly different dialogue ok so we got

slightly different dialogue ok so we got Anakin again and he says Donald Trump is

Anakin again and he says Donald Trump is

Anakin again and he says Donald Trump is gonna bring order and justice and

gonna bring order and justice and

gonna bring order and justice and security to America he’s going to make

security to America he’s going to make

security to America he’s going to make America great again and only want to be

America great again and only want to be

America great again and only want to be over here and say you think Donald

over here and say you think Donald

over here and say you think Donald Trump’s going to do that what I stand

Trump’s going to do that what I stand

Trump’s going to do that what I stand for liberalism for freedom and tolerance

for liberalism for freedom and tolerance

for liberalism for freedom and tolerance if you are not with me when you are my

if you are not with me when you are my

if you are not with me when you are my enemy

enemy

enemy oh I see how it is I’ll do what I must

oh I see how it is I’ll do what I must

oh I see how it is I’ll do what I must 140 followers are gonna love this oh

140 followers are gonna love this oh

140 followers are gonna love this oh yeah all Republicans are Nazis yeah you

yeah all Republicans are Nazis yeah you

yeah all Republicans are Nazis yeah you better believe it this is what it’s come

better believe it this is what it’s come

better believe it this is what it’s come to this is what political discourse the

to this is what political discourse the

to this is what political discourse the foundation of Western liberal democracy

foundation of Western liberal democracy

foundation of Western liberal democracy has come to absolutism is the word that

has come to absolutism is the word that

has come to absolutism is the word that I use and it spawns from that little

I use and it spawns from that little

I use and it spawns from that little exchange of dialogue if you are not with

exchange of dialogue if you are not with

exchange of dialogue if you are not with me then you are my enemy only a Sith

me then you are my enemy only a Sith

me then you are my enemy only a Sith deals in absolutes absolutism if i were

deals in absolutes absolutism if i were

deals in absolutes absolutism if i were to express this in in in a sentence it

to express this in in in a sentence it

to express this in in in a sentence it would sound something like this this

would sound something like this this

would sound something like this this belief here absolutism i am one hundred

belief here absolutism i am one hundred

belief here absolutism i am one hundred percent correct in all of my views you

percent correct in all of my views you

percent correct in all of my views you hi there how are you you’re doing good

hi there how are you you’re doing good

hi there how are you you’re doing good enjoying yourself yeah okay you you

enjoying yourself yeah okay you you

enjoying yourself yeah okay you you disagree with me well you are one

disagree with me well you are one

disagree with me well you are one hundred percent wrong in your views okay

hundred percent wrong in your views okay

hundred percent wrong in your views okay that’s so absolutism works you’re either

that’s so absolutism works you’re either

that’s so absolutism works you’re either with me or you are my enemy it’s a

with me or you are my enemy it’s a

with me or you are my enemy it’s a binary system you know what binary is

binary system you know what binary is

binary system you know what binary is its computer code it’s ones and zeros

its computer code it’s ones and zeros

its computer code it’s ones and zeros ones and zeros you’re either right or

ones and zeros you’re either right or

ones and zeros you’re either right or you’re wrong you’re either left or your

you’re wrong you’re either left or your

you’re wrong you’re either left or your right you’re either black or you’re

right you’re either black or you’re

right you’re either black or you’re white that is the way absolutism sees

white that is the way absolutism sees

white that is the way absolutism sees the world you have there’s no room for

the world you have there’s no room for

the world you have there’s no room for moderation with absolutism you gotta

moderation with absolutism you gotta

moderation with absolutism you gotta pick a side and I think this mindset has

pick a side and I think this mindset has

pick a side and I think this mindset has corrupted political discourse that’s

corrupted political discourse that’s

corrupted political discourse that’s just political conversations especially

just political conversations especially

just political conversations especially here in the West it’s I think the cause

here in the West it’s I think the cause

here in the West it’s I think the cause of the division that we are seeing right

of the division that we are seeing right

of the division that we are seeing right now so the question for me then becomes

now so the question for me then becomes

now so the question for me then becomes why why if it’s such a lie and entrust

why why if it’s such a lie and entrust

why why if it’s such a lie and entrust me it is a lie why is it so convincing

me it is a lie why is it so convincing

me it is a lie why is it so convincing why do we buy it so easy I have two

why do we buy it so easy I have two

why do we buy it so easy I have two theories the first one is because

theories the first one is because

theories the first one is because absolutism masquerades as liberalism

absolutism masquerades as liberalism

absolutism masquerades as liberalism okay so what I mean here okay so

okay so what I mean here okay so

okay so what I mean here okay so liberalism is is a broader ideology than

liberalism is is a broader ideology than

liberalism is is a broader ideology than just political parties okay we need to

just political parties okay we need to

just political parties okay we need to understand that right off the bat like

understand that right off the bat like

understand that right off the bat like the Liberal Party is not like the only

the Liberal Party is not like the only

the Liberal Party is not like the only party that adheres to liberalism every

party that adheres to liberalism every

party that adheres to liberalism every Canadian political party is a Liberal

Canadian political party is a Liberal

Canadian political party is a Liberal Party in a broad sense okay so

Party in a broad sense okay so

Party in a broad sense okay so ideas that are the foundation of our

ideas that are the foundation of our

ideas that are the foundation of our society we’re talking about freedom

society we’re talking about freedom

society we’re talking about freedom equality individualism human rights

equality individualism human rights

equality individualism human rights these are all liberal ideas and it

these are all liberal ideas and it

these are all liberal ideas and it underpins the way we think about

underpins the way we think about

underpins the way we think about government in the way we think about all

government in the way we think about all

government in the way we think about all of these sorts of ideas liberalism is is

of these sorts of ideas liberalism is is

of these sorts of ideas liberalism is is the broad ideology that is the

the broad ideology that is the

the broad ideology that is the foundation of our society absolutism

foundation of our society absolutism

foundation of our society absolutism takes the basic tenants of liberalism in

takes the basic tenants of liberalism in

takes the basic tenants of liberalism in extrapolates just a little bit more adds

extrapolates just a little bit more adds

extrapolates just a little bit more adds a little something on to the end and

a little something on to the end and

a little something on to the end and that’s where we liberalism turns into

that’s where we liberalism turns into

that’s where we liberalism turns into something destructive so in order to

something destructive so in order to

something destructive so in order to understand this we need to we need to

understand this we need to we need to

understand this we need to we need to first trace a little bit back the

first trace a little bit back the

first trace a little bit back the beginnings of liberalism which can be

beginnings of liberalism which can be

beginnings of liberalism which can be found in the Protestant Reformation and

found in the Protestant Reformation and

found in the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther so the prospect

Martin Luther so the prospect

Martin Luther so the prospect Reformation was a direct response to the

Reformation was a direct response to the

Reformation was a direct response to the Catholicism right the Catholic

Catholicism right the Catholic

Catholicism right the Catholic essentially monopoly on knowledge the

essentially monopoly on knowledge the

essentially monopoly on knowledge the Catholic Church they were the only ones

Catholic Church they were the only ones

Catholic Church they were the only ones who could read the Bible so they could

who could read the Bible so they could

who could read the Bible so they could manipulate what was taught and

manipulate what was taught and

manipulate what was taught and unfortunately they did manipulate it and

unfortunately they did manipulate it and

unfortunately they did manipulate it and they taught doctrines that someone like

they taught doctrines that someone like

they taught doctrines that someone like Martin Luther said I don’t see this

Martin Luther said I don’t see this

Martin Luther said I don’t see this anywhere in the Bible so as opposed to a

anywhere in the Bible so as opposed to a

anywhere in the Bible so as opposed to a situation where you grow up in the

situation where you grow up in the

situation where you grow up in the church and you you learn about who you

church and you you learn about who you

church and you you learn about who you are in the church when Luther in his

are in the church when Luther in his

are in the church when Luther in his letter to Pope Leo expresses a different

letter to Pope Leo expresses a different

letter to Pope Leo expresses a different idea what he says is as free rational

idea what he says is as free rational

idea what he says is as free rational equal individuals we can find God on our

equal individuals we can find God on our

equal individuals we can find God on our own that was essentially his argument

own that was essentially his argument

own that was essentially his argument I’m gonna say it again here free

I’m gonna say it again here free

I’m gonna say it again here free rational equal individuals so as

rational equal individuals so as

rational equal individuals so as individuals who have our freedom and the

individuals who have our freedom and the

individuals who have our freedom and the same we are all the same we are all

same we are all the same we are all

same we are all the same we are all equal we all the same mental faculties

equal we all the same mental faculties

equal we all the same mental faculties we can find God on our own we don’t need

we can find God on our own we don’t need

we can find God on our own we don’t need the church to tell us about God that was

the church to tell us about God that was

the church to tell us about God that was his essential argument and so this idea

his essential argument and so this idea

his essential argument and so this idea of a free rational equal individual is

of a free rational equal individual is

of a free rational equal individual is going forward throughout history from

going forward throughout history from

going forward throughout history from Thomas Hobbes to John Locke to Jean

Thomas Hobbes to John Locke to Jean

Thomas Hobbes to John Locke to Jean Jacques Rousseau you have no idea who

Jacques Rousseau you have no idea who

Jacques Rousseau you have no idea who these people are it’s okay it’s carried

these people are it’s okay it’s carried

these people are it’s okay it’s carried forward and it becomes liberal ideology

forward and it becomes liberal ideology

forward and it becomes liberal ideology that like I said underpins our society

that like I said underpins our society

that like I said underpins our society so what absolutism does is adds to those

so what absolutism does is adds to those

so what absolutism does is adds to those basic tenants so if i were to re-express

basic tenants so if i were to re-express

basic tenants so if i were to re-express it it sounds something like this it be I

it it sounds something like this it be I

it it sounds something like this it be I am a free rational equal individual I am

am a free rational equal individual I am

am a free rational equal individual I am entitled to all of my views the

entitled to all of my views the

entitled to all of my views the government can’t tell me what to believe

government can’t tell me what to believe

government can’t tell me what to believe the church can’t tell me what

the church can’t tell me what

the church can’t tell me what to believe my parents can’t tell me what

to believe my parents can’t tell me what

to believe my parents can’t tell me what to believe hi mom and but more than that

to believe hi mom and but more than that

to believe hi mom and but more than that not only am I entitled to these beliefs

not only am I entitled to these beliefs

not only am I entitled to these beliefs but I am one hundred percent correct in

but I am one hundred percent correct in

but I am one hundred percent correct in these beliefs and I know one who

these beliefs and I know one who

these beliefs and I know one who disagrees with me is one hundred percent

disagrees with me is one hundred percent

disagrees with me is one hundred percent wrong so it’s liberalism plus something

wrong so it’s liberalism plus something

wrong so it’s liberalism plus something extra so when we think we’re being

extra so when we think we’re being

extra so when we think we’re being liberal in exercising our individuality

liberal in exercising our individuality

liberal in exercising our individuality we oftentimes are behaving with an

we oftentimes are behaving with an

we oftentimes are behaving with an absolutist mindset and so that’s why

absolutist mindset and so that’s why

absolutist mindset and so that’s why it’s easy to fall for it because it’s so

it’s easy to fall for it because it’s so

it’s easy to fall for it because it’s so close to something that’s so familiar my

close to something that’s so familiar my

close to something that’s so familiar my second theory is that absolutism praise

second theory is that absolutism praise

second theory is that absolutism praise on our insecurities so another byproduct

on our insecurities so another byproduct

on our insecurities so another byproduct of the prostate Reformation was this

of the prostate Reformation was this

of the prostate Reformation was this process of self-discovery no longer do

process of self-discovery no longer do

process of self-discovery no longer do we have the church to tell us about

we have the church to tell us about

we have the church to tell us about ourselves to tell us what our values

ourselves to tell us what our values

ourselves to tell us what our values were who we were going to be we had to

were who we were going to be we had to

were who we were going to be we had to discover that on our own and again

discover that on our own and again

discover that on our own and again that’s the idea that carries forward

that’s the idea that carries forward

that’s the idea that carries forward through history and so even today we

through history and so even today we

through history and so even today we spend our whole lives searching who are

spend our whole lives searching who are

spend our whole lives searching who are we what makes me me what are my values

we what makes me me what are my values

we what makes me me what are my values and I think and I’m not that old but I

and I think and I’m not that old but I

and I think and I’m not that old but I think we never really figure it out and

think we never really figure it out and

think we never really figure it out and if we do or not one hundred percent

if we do or not one hundred percent

if we do or not one hundred percent confident in it there’s always that

confident in it there’s always that

confident in it there’s always that self-doubt that insecurity and so in

self-doubt that insecurity and so in

self-doubt that insecurity and so in whatever whenever we’re criticized

whatever whenever we’re criticized

whatever whenever we’re criticized whenever someone comes along and even

whenever someone comes along and even

whenever someone comes along and even constructively critiques are views we

constructively critiques are views we

constructively critiques are views we respond defensively right we’re like ooo

respond defensively right we’re like ooo

respond defensively right we’re like ooo ooo and at that moment absolutism comes

ooo and at that moment absolutism comes

ooo and at that moment absolutism comes alongside mrs. hey buddy buddy it’s all

alongside mrs. hey buddy buddy it’s all

alongside mrs. hey buddy buddy it’s all good you don’t have to listen to them

good you don’t have to listen to them

good you don’t have to listen to them there are a hundred percent wrong you’re

there are a hundred percent wrong you’re

there are a hundred percent wrong you’re a free rational equal individual you’ll

a free rational equal individual you’ll

a free rational equal individual you’ll need to listen to them you just you just

need to listen to them you just you just

need to listen to them you just you just gotta stand up to the haters and so

gotta stand up to the haters and so

gotta stand up to the haters and so instead of listening to that feedback

instead of listening to that feedback

instead of listening to that feedback even constructive feedback we shut them

even constructive feedback we shut them

even constructive feedback we shut them out and say they’re wrong you’re wrong

out and say they’re wrong you’re wrong

out and say they’re wrong you’re wrong you can see the problem there you miss

you can see the problem there you miss

you can see the problem there you miss out on potentially becoming a better

out on potentially becoming a better

out on potentially becoming a better person so what are consequences of

person so what are consequences of

person so what are consequences of absolutism if this is what it is and

absolutism if this is what it is and

absolutism if this is what it is and this is where it came from and this is

this is where it came from and this is

this is where it came from and this is why we buy the lie what are the

why we buy the lie what are the

why we buy the lie what are the consequences of it I got 33 macro level

consequences of it I got 33 macro level

consequences of it I got 33 macro level so big picture consequences and in there

so big picture consequences and in there

so big picture consequences and in there like dominoes okay that one falls into

like dominoes okay that one falls into

like dominoes okay that one falls into the next

the next

the next into the next okay it starts with the

into the next okay it starts with the

into the next okay it starts with the suppression of opinion okay so when you

suppression of opinion okay so when you

suppression of opinion okay so when you and I’m going to use the example United

and I’m going to use the example United

and I’m going to use the example United States right now because honestly they

States right now because honestly they

States right now because honestly they are a nation being torn apart by an

are a nation being torn apart by an

are a nation being torn apart by an absolutist mindset and it’s it’s hard to

absolutist mindset and it’s it’s hard to

absolutist mindset and it’s it’s hard to watch it really is so let me let me give

watch it really is so let me let me give

watch it really is so let me let me give an example here and it happens on both

an example here and it happens on both

an example here and it happens on both sides suppression of opinion here people

sides suppression of opinion here people

sides suppression of opinion here people on the Left say to everyone on the right

on the Left say to everyone on the right

on the Left say to everyone on the right you are racist homophobic xenophobic

you are racist homophobic xenophobic

you are racist homophobic xenophobic sexist okay okay no I think that’s an

sexist okay okay no I think that’s an

sexist okay okay no I think that’s an insult to our human complexity the

insult to our human complexity the

insult to our human complexity the reasons why we vote the things that that

reasons why we vote the things that that

reasons why we vote the things that that influence the way we vote you know I’ve

influence the way we vote you know I’ve

influence the way we vote you know I’ve seen maps of America where on both

seen maps of America where on both

seen maps of America where on both coasts you know where you had generally

coasts you know where you had generally

coasts you know where you had generally a lot of hillary clinton voters you

a lot of hillary clinton voters you

a lot of hillary clinton voters you would screw you had written in red white

would screw you had written in red white

would screw you had written in red white and blue in America but then in the

and blue in America but then in the

and blue in America but then in the swath in the middle was colored and

swath in the middle was colored and

swath in the middle was colored and white and written in white trash a Stan

do I need to tell you what’s wrong with

do I need to tell you what’s wrong with that now we’re so seeing everyone who

that now we’re so seeing everyone who

that now we’re so seeing everyone who voted with fur Donald Trump with

voted with fur Donald Trump with

voted with fur Donald Trump with terrorism I I don’t see it what I do see

terrorism I I don’t see it what I do see

terrorism I I don’t see it what I do see is an attempt to delegitimize the views

is an attempt to delegitimize the views

is an attempt to delegitimize the views of the right so that you can say it’s

of the right so that you can say it’s

of the right so that you can say it’s unamerican to vote for Donald Trump you

unamerican to vote for Donald Trump you

unamerican to vote for Donald Trump you shouldn’t even be allowed to speak the

shouldn’t even be allowed to speak the

shouldn’t even be allowed to speak the suppression of opinion on the right

suppression of opinion on the right

suppression of opinion on the right though they are not the victims here

though they are not the victims here

though they are not the victims here because the right looks the left and

because the right looks the left and

because the right looks the left and says all left-wing media are fake news

says all left-wing media are fake news

says all left-wing media are fake news except for Breitbart and Fox so the only

except for Breitbart and Fox so the only

except for Breitbart and Fox so the only watch Breitbart and Fox they shut out

watch Breitbart and Fox they shut out

watch Breitbart and Fox they shut out all other news media organizations

all other news media organizations

all other news media organizations because they supposedly promote liberal

because they supposedly promote liberal

because they supposedly promote liberal agenda and again it’s the same thing

agenda and again it’s the same thing

agenda and again it’s the same thing trying to delegitimize the views of the

trying to delegitimize the views of the

trying to delegitimize the views of the other side so you don’t have to listen

other side so you don’t have to listen

other side so you don’t have to listen to them why would you listen to an

to them why would you listen to an

to them why would you listen to an opinion who you think is dead wrong

opinion who you think is dead wrong

opinion who you think is dead wrong anyways and what happens is both sides

anyways and what happens is both sides

anyways and what happens is both sides lock themselves in to echo chambers of

lock themselves in to echo chambers of

lock themselves in to echo chambers of their own opinions and of course then

their own opinions and of course then

their own opinions and of course then you have the second consequence the

you have the second consequence the

you have the second consequence the deterioration of discussion if you’ve

deterioration of discussion if you’ve

deterioration of discussion if you’ve locked yourself with an echo chamber

locked yourself with an echo chamber

locked yourself with an echo chamber you’re only listening to views that

you’re only listening to views that

you’re only listening to views that reaffirm your own beliefs why would you

reaffirm your own beliefs why would you

reaffirm your own beliefs why would you talk to anyone who disagrees with you

talk to anyone who disagrees with you

talk to anyone who disagrees with you and we see this all the time it’s so

and we see this all the time it’s so

and we see this all the time it’s so easy in an era of social media just go

easy in an era of social media just go

easy in an era of social media just go block unfollow because why would I let

block unfollow because why would I let

block unfollow because why would I let their their their trash opinions into my

their their their trash opinions into my

their their their trash opinions into my newsfeed and of course once you have the

newsfeed and of course once you have the

newsfeed and of course once you have the deterioration of discussion I would

deterioration of discussion I would

deterioration of discussion I would argue to you do you get the death of

argue to you do you get the death of

argue to you do you get the death of democracy itself this might seem like a

democracy itself this might seem like a

democracy itself this might seem like a stretch but again look at the states

stretch but again look at the states

stretch but again look at the states right now would you not say that people

right now would you not say that people

right now would you not say that people are questioning their institutions

are questioning their institutions

are questioning their institutions questioning their ideals what makes them

questioning their ideals what makes them

questioning their ideals what makes them American I think and they’re not there

American I think and they’re not there

American I think and they’re not there yet but I think that this is where it

yet but I think that this is where it

yet but I think that this is where it goes when you have the suppression of

goes when you have the suppression of

goes when you have the suppression of opinion which leads to the deterioration

opinion which leads to the deterioration

opinion which leads to the deterioration of discussion you eventually have the

of discussion you eventually have the

of discussion you eventually have the death of democracy because Western

death of democracy because Western

death of democracy because Western liberal democracy needs conversation

liberal democracy needs conversation

liberal democracy needs conversation it’s one of the great privileges of

it’s one of the great privileges of

it’s one of the great privileges of living in the West is the ability to

living in the West is the ability to

living in the West is the ability to talk the ability for me to say to

talk the ability for me to say to

talk the ability for me to say to someone hey I disagree with your opinion

someone hey I disagree with your opinion

someone hey I disagree with your opinion I disagree with the candidate that

I disagree with the candidate that

I disagree with the candidate that you’re voting for and they can say why

you’re voting for and they can say why

you’re voting for and they can say why disagree with you and that’s okay you

disagree with you and that’s okay you

disagree with you and that’s okay you can you know in Russia just this week

can you know in Russia just this week

can you know in Russia just this week Vladimir Putin band a photo of him there

Vladimir Putin band a photo of him there

Vladimir Putin band a photo of him there someone in Photoshop it so he was a

someone in Photoshop it so he was a

someone in Photoshop it so he was a transgender clown it’s it’s pretty fun

transgender clown it’s it’s pretty fun

transgender clown it’s it’s pretty fun you should find it and exercise your

you should find it and exercise your

you should find it and exercise your freedom and spread that but we live in a

freedom and spread that but we live in a

freedom and spread that but we live in a country where we won’t be put in jail we

country where we won’t be put in jail we

country where we won’t be put in jail we won’t be shot for disagreeing with our

won’t be shot for disagreeing with our

won’t be shot for disagreeing with our leaders and our politicians but there

leaders and our politicians but there

leaders and our politicians but there are countries where that is the reality

are countries where that is the reality

are countries where that is the reality so this is where we go I think so is

so this is where we go I think so is

so this is where we go I think so is that it that’s the end we’re all headed

that it that’s the end we’re all headed

that it that’s the end we’re all headed towards the death democracy we’re all

towards the death democracy we’re all

towards the death democracy we’re all absolutists were all Sith Lords no there

absolutists were all Sith Lords no there

absolutists were all Sith Lords no there is hope so I want to bring to your

is hope so I want to bring to your

is hope so I want to bring to your attention a very very smart man named

attention a very very smart man named

attention a very very smart man named John Stuart Mill you might have heard of

John Stuart Mill you might have heard of

John Stuart Mill you might have heard of him he’s a political philosopher and he

him he’s a political philosopher and he

him he’s a political philosopher and he highlights I think the consequence but

highlights I think the consequence but

highlights I think the consequence but subsequently the personal benefits that

subsequently the personal benefits that

subsequently the personal benefits that come from fighting back against that

come from fighting back against that

come from fighting back against that absolutist mindset that suppression of

absolutist mindset that suppression of

absolutist mindset that suppression of opinion let’s look at a quote here okay

opinion let’s look at a quote here okay

opinion let’s look at a quote here okay if the opinion that you are trying to

if the opinion that you are trying to

if the opinion that you are trying to suppress turns out to be right they

suppress turns out to be right they

suppress turns out to be right they being the people are too

being the people are too

being the people are too the opportunity of exchanging error for

the opportunity of exchanging error for

the opportunity of exchanging error for truth but if wrong so if the opinion you

truth but if wrong so if the opinion you

truth but if wrong so if the opinion you are suppressing is actually wrong they

are suppressing is actually wrong they

are suppressing is actually wrong they lose what is almost as great a benefit

lose what is almost as great a benefit

lose what is almost as great a benefit the clearer perception I love the way

the clearer perception I love the way

the clearer perception I love the way says this and livelier impression of the

says this and livelier impression of the

says this and livelier impression of the truth produced by its collision with

truth produced by its collision with

truth produced by its collision with error so regardless of whether the

error so regardless of whether the

error so regardless of whether the opinion you are suppressing in your

opinion you are suppressing in your

opinion you are suppressing in your absolutism whether the penny new are

absolutism whether the penny new are

absolutism whether the penny new are suppressing is wrong or not you lose

suppressing is wrong or not you lose

suppressing is wrong or not you lose either you’re missing out on the

either you’re missing out on the

either you’re missing out on the opportunity to exchange your error for

opportunity to exchange your error for

opportunity to exchange your error for their truth or even if they turn out to

their truth or even if they turn out to

their truth or even if they turn out to be wrong you still miss out on the

be wrong you still miss out on the

be wrong you still miss out on the opportunity to learn more about what you

opportunity to learn more about what you

opportunity to learn more about what you believe and more about the world around

believe and more about the world around

believe and more about the world around you because this is the reality all

you because this is the reality all

you because this is the reality all silencing of discussion and this is

silencing of discussion and this is

silencing of discussion and this is another John Stuart Mill quote all

another John Stuart Mill quote all

another John Stuart Mill quote all silencing of discussion is an assumption

silencing of discussion is an assumption

silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility raise your hands fear

of infallibility raise your hands fear

of infallibility raise your hands fear infallible their one hand no okay good I

infallible their one hand no okay good I

infallible their one hand no okay good I was worried for a second this is the

was worried for a second this is the

was worried for a second this is the reality when you start to suppress

reality when you start to suppress

reality when you start to suppress people’s opinions because you find them

people’s opinions because you find them

people’s opinions because you find them wrong you are assuming that you are

wrong you are assuming that you are

wrong you are assuming that you are infallible in your judgment of right and

infallible in your judgment of right and

infallible in your judgment of right and wrong and that’s simply not the case I

wrong and that’s simply not the case I

wrong and that’s simply not the case I want to show you a quick a quick

want to show you a quick a quick

want to show you a quick a quick illustration here if this circle here

illustration here if this circle here

illustration here if this circle here represents all knowledge all human

represents all knowledge all human

represents all knowledge all human knowledge that has ever ever been known

knowledge that has ever ever been known

knowledge that has ever ever been known okay how much of that do you think or a

okay how much of that do you think or a

okay how much of that do you think or a no part of me this is all knowledge that

no part of me this is all knowledge that

no part of me this is all knowledge that can be known this is all knowledge that

can be known this is all knowledge that

can be known this is all knowledge that could be known this circle represents

could be known this circle represents

could be known this circle represents what we know what we’ve discovered it

what we know what we’ve discovered it

what we know what we’ve discovered it might be optimistic you know might be

might be optimistic you know might be

might be optimistic you know might be optimistic but let’s say the throat

optimistic but let’s say the throat

optimistic but let’s say the throat human history of all there is to know

human history of all there is to know

human history of all there is to know this is what we figured out how much of

this is what we figured out how much of

this is what we figured out how much of that circle do you think you know maybe

that circle do you think you know maybe

that circle do you think you know maybe yeah that and that’s probably optimistic

yeah that and that’s probably optimistic

yeah that and that’s probably optimistic too isn’t it the reality is when you

too isn’t it the reality is when you

too isn’t it the reality is when you think with an absolutist mindset oh hey

think with an absolutist mindset oh hey

think with an absolutist mindset oh hey look now there’s more uh when you think

look now there’s more uh when you think

look now there’s more uh when you think with an absolutist mindset you are

with an absolutist mindset you are

with an absolutist mindset you are assuming that your one little yellow dot

assuming that your one little yellow dot

assuming that your one little yellow dot actually represents the entire blue dot

actually represents the entire blue dot

actually represents the entire blue dot I have nothing else to learn I already

I have nothing else to learn I already

I have nothing else to learn I already know everything when in reality

know everything when in reality

know everything when in reality that’s just ridiculous there is so much

that’s just ridiculous there is so much

that’s just ridiculous there is so much we can learn from the people around us

we can learn from the people around us

we can learn from the people around us not only just about politics and in

not only just about politics and in

not only just about politics and in terms of understanding the other side

terms of understanding the other side

terms of understanding the other side but just in terms of you know our

but just in terms of you know our

but just in terms of you know our humanity it’s a common thing that’s come

humanity it’s a common thing that’s come

humanity it’s a common thing that’s come up I think a lot today and I hope it’s

up I think a lot today and I hope it’s

up I think a lot today and I hope it’s what your general takeaway is is that

what your general takeaway is is that

what your general takeaway is is that there is value in conversation hint hint

there is value in conversation hint hint

there is value in conversation hint hint that’s the solution here how do we fight

that’s the solution here how do we fight

that’s the solution here how do we fight back against absolutism this the Scourge

back against absolutism this the Scourge

back against absolutism this the Scourge that threatens to destroy democracy

that threatens to destroy democracy

that threatens to destroy democracy itself we need to rediscover the art of

itself we need to rediscover the art of

itself we need to rediscover the art of conversation and believe me it is an art

conversation and believe me it is an art

conversation and believe me it is an art form because I’m sure we’ve all had

form because I’m sure we’ve all had

form because I’m sure we’ve all had those conversations with people who do

those conversations with people who do

those conversations with people who do not want to talk to us and who do deal

not want to talk to us and who do deal

not want to talk to us and who do deal with this in this absolutist way if you

with this in this absolutist way if you

with this in this absolutist way if you are not with me then you are my enemy

are not with me then you are my enemy

are not with me then you are my enemy right we’ve had those conversations and

right we’ve had those conversations and

right we’ve had those conversations and that’s why we don’t talk but I encourage

that’s why we don’t talk but I encourage

that’s why we don’t talk but I encourage you I plead with you to abandon

you I plead with you to abandon

you I plead with you to abandon absolutism and talk to each other and

absolutism and talk to each other and

absolutism and talk to each other and you have a great opportunity coming up

you have a great opportunity coming up

you have a great opportunity coming up because we got an election coming up

because we got an election coming up

because we got an election coming up here and be seen you all remember that

here and be seen you all remember that

here and be seen you all remember that yes okay we got an election coming up

yes okay we got an election coming up

yes okay we got an election coming up and I would hate to see us us as

and I would hate to see us us as

and I would hate to see us us as Canadians fall into the same patterns as

Canadians fall into the same patterns as

Canadians fall into the same patterns as the Americans and tear each other apart

the Americans and tear each other apart

the Americans and tear each other apart over differences of opinion and that’s

over differences of opinion and that’s

over differences of opinion and that’s really all it is I encourage you to talk

really all it is I encourage you to talk

really all it is I encourage you to talk to each other learn from each other as

to each other learn from each other as

to each other learn from each other as john stuart mill says even if they are

john stuart mill says even if they are

john stuart mill says even if they are wrong gain a livelier impression of the

wrong gain a livelier impression of the

wrong gain a livelier impression of the truth gain a greater understanding a

truth gain a greater understanding a

truth gain a greater understanding a greater depth of understanding of your

greater depth of understanding of your

greater depth of understanding of your own views by conflicting them with views

own views by conflicting them with views

own views by conflicting them with views with others there is strength

with others there is strength

with others there is strength invulnerability people there is strength

invulnerability people there is strength

invulnerability people there is strength and allowing your views to be critiqued

and allowing your views to be critiqued

and allowing your views to be critiqued and then analyzed getting saying why do

and then analyzed getting saying why do

and then analyzed getting saying why do I believe what I believe absolutism is

I believe what I believe absolutism is

I believe what I believe absolutism is not inherent it doesn’t have to be this

not inherent it doesn’t have to be this

not inherent it doesn’t have to be this way we are seeing right now is not

way we are seeing right now is not

way we are seeing right now is not normal don’t be a Seth if you are not

normal don’t be a Seth if you are not

normal don’t be a Seth if you are not with me then you’re my enemy no no no if

with me then you’re my enemy no no no if

with me then you’re my enemy no no no if you are not with me that’s okay let’s

you are not with me that’s okay let’s

you are not with me that’s okay let’s talk it out don’t be a set ladies and

talk it out don’t be a set ladies and

talk it out don’t be a set ladies and gentlemen thank you very much

gentlemen thank you very much

gentlemen thank you very much you

you

you [Applause]