I know, I know, David Brin is one of those "high-moral-ground", fervently ideological, vehemently frothing at the mouth centrists, but he sometimes writes really good stuff. And this post is pretty good:
Now try this. Imagine a person who holds all of the correct views except one.
Suppose - on just that one issue - a person strongly takes the opposite view. Not quietly, but openly, and vigorously.
Now picture how that person would be received in most liberal gatherings.
What name would they be called?
Read the post. He may put it a little too harsh, but he is not wrong.
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I've seen Brin speak. He actually does froth at the mouth. Really.
OK, I'm making that up, but I always enjoy reading Brin's stuff. Even when he makes no sense whatsoever it's still entertaining. My only problem with Brin is I feel like he keeps coming this close to getting it and then he just sort of... misses. Interesting that we should both pick Brin as our obligatory reading this weekend.
He is not wrong about how the label is applied by the media, he is almost certainly wrong in my experience about how liberals themselves treat others at their gatherings who disagree with them on a small number of issues, while sharing the majority of views...maybe Brin hangs out with what I call rabid liberals? However, it is clearly important for liberals to remain vigilant to avoid this sort of mistake.
What would do more to correct this (mis)impression is wresting control of the media from its conservative corporate owners, because I don't think it's the one on one communication from liberals that is the problem, but rather any sort of effective public and media communication.