17 Comments
Jul 18Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

So here is a different thought experiment: What do you suppose would have happened if the shooter hadn’t missed?

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author

Well, Jaynee, we're talking here about the power of thought and imagination. So with that in mind, I respectfully decline to contemplate a reality I do not wish to make real. I'm sure you understand.

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Jul 18Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

While I absolutely respect your position here, I have contemplated this, and here’s why:

A lot of right-wing religionists have taken the view that God protected Trump and therefore, God has anointed him as our leader.

I do believe that a Higher Power prevented disaster in that moment. But the disaster that was prevented was the aftermath in our beloved nation, had that bullet found its mark.

That in no way leads to any logical conclusion that God has now selected our next leader. It does lead to a fresh hope that our country still has a chance of coming to its senses.

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author

Thanks, Jaynee.

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Jul 18Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

“We see what we want to see.”

Harry Nilsson (1970) “The Point”

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author

Exactly! Thank you, Jaynee. You know, I've never read his children's book nor seen the animated film. But I'm going to now.

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founding
Jul 17Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Great article Andrew. I think, however, in the headline "When Donald Trump accepts the Republican nomination in Chicago" what you're meaning is Milwaukee.

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author

Thanks so much, Patricia. And you’re right of course. Yikes! Correction made. Much appreciated!

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Jul 15Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

We are what we think. I love this and will share it and imagine Trump going down to defeat. Great work, as always.

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author

Right. That’s another way to say it. In a way, this is very old news. But I was quite struck by the fact that a scientific experiment confirms what many have known for centuries. Thanks for reading and sharing your feedback. Much appreciated.

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Jul 15Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

But I love the way you say it and thank you for bringing attention to this important option for influencing the outcome.

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author

It just occurred to me that Dr. Pearson’s experiment also works as metaphor for the country’s polarization. Folks see either one thing or another. Red dot or green square, and never the twain shall meet.

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author

Many thanks to you again!

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Jul 15Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

I was instantly curious about your perspective. I realize I may not have commented on your previous post about the Ten Commandments but it was running through my mind for days after. And immediately following the assassination attempt I kept seeing people saying, "That's it, he won." It's alarming, frankly. I appreciate your perspective, as always. You've given me much to think about.

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author

It is alarming. Those comments struck me too. And I’m appalled that even before the shooting, so many people had already decided the outcome of the election at the level of thought. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my essay. I can see that you’ve had a lot on your plate recently, and I really appreciate it.

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Jul 15Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

The "punchline" is everything--"Perhaps the time has come to make the mind an ally."

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author

Right. An ally instead of an adversary. Thanks for reading and weighing in.

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