Are you caught in high conflict?

I relate to your post. I am sincerely interested in why people believe what they do regardless of which side they're on. I enjoy discussions with Republicans and conservatives I know personally, and I try to keep an open mind and follow a variety of people online and in the media. I know that political "spin" happens across the spectrum, and that's nothing new. Even people who hold what I consider to be pretty "crazy" or conspiratorial ideas can be interesting if they're being sincere. Having said that, I do get annoyed by the trolls who I think are mostly gaslighting folks and "flooding the zone with BS" as Bannon put it. This stuff is no longer relegated to the chan boards and Pepe The Frog memes but unfortunately have been adopted by some of the most influential people in politics.

 

Or some people on this board simply post to troll and see how much crap they can stir up as a game?

 

It is obvious that most on here were less than honest with their answers. Fail.

 

Do you lose sleep thinking about this conflict?

My opinions or desires will not change matters. I have learned from experience it is better not to fret over things I cannot change. Any loss of sleep I have over conflicts comes from researching the 'net for more information to be more informed, so this is a qualified yes.
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Do you feel good when something bad happens to the other person or side?

No
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If the other side were to do something you agreed with, would it feel uncomfortable to acknowledge this out loud?
No.
From my moderate / middle position on the political spectrum I find I am in agreement with both sides on different issues. As a former Republican I am appalled to see how the GOP has deteriorated into what I perceive as an extreme authoritarian right wing cult, driven by anger and fear, and that drives my criticism. When in agreement with their more moderate positions I'm not averse to acknowledging my agreement.
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Does it feel like the other side is brainwashed or in a cult?

Yes. My housekeeper/ nurses aide with whom I have near daily contact. She is a devoted cultist of the MAGA sphere who tells me more than I want to know about chemtrails, furries in schools where too many evil teachers are sexually grooming children, and other debunked or other risible ideas. She has bought into the right wing extremist hype hook, line, and sinker. But then she says in the end it's okay, because Jesus is coming back to make it all right and all the evil will be banished and the world will be perfected.

And from the many who post on this forum.
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Do you ever get stuck ruminating over the same grievances over and over?

No. I refuse to let myself be mired into worrying over things I cannot change.
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When talking with people who agree with you, do you say the same things over and over?

No. I don't have many conversations like that with people, but then again I don't get out much. My contact with people outside my familiar circle is somewhat limited to the few friends I've made among the neighbors, other neighbors and people I meet when I'm out exploring and stretching the limits of my world on my ATwheelchair. And family of course.

The neighbors who have become good friends have similar political inclinations, determined through cautiously spoken conversations when we shared mutual our current concerns.

On this board I have posted observations and thoughts on various threads that easily translate to other threads and topics. The comments have not yet clicked with the people they are directed, so some things are repeated as they apply.
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Has someone who knows you well told you they don’t recognize you anymore?

No
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Do you ever defend your own side by pointing out the other side does the same or worse?

In my role as a moderator I have on occasion mentioned how similar the aims, goals, or intentions of one side are to the other. It's fair to say, I think, we all want a stable and prosperous future. Our differences stem from how this is achievable. So a qualified yes.

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Do you see different people on the other side as essentially interchangeable?

Aspects and attitudes in the more strident. So yes, I guess.
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Do you use words like always, good, bad, us, them, or war?

No. Not consciously, anyway.
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Do you find it hard to remember when you last felt genuine curiosity about the other side’s thoughts, intentions, or actions?

No. Near daily.

Great topic, Rade.