Obviously, I can still fall prey to some of this as a fallible human being, but pretty much all of my opinions come out of a synthesis of personal experience, observation of others, and outside data. And I’m always interested in what is going on underneath. For example, not everyone who admires Trump is a horrible, brain-dead, monster. Some are to be sure, but many are largely decent people with their own set of experiences and fears.

On more than one occasion I’ve debated someone for a long time in order to get a better sense of what is actually driving them. Once I know that I’m much more able to let the conversation go.