A country with a singular culture. People look alike, speak the same words, and share traditions. Exceptions are vanishingly rare and hidden.
A large mansion, home to a nobleman and his family. They’ve got gilded dining halls, plural swimming pools, and one expansive suite per family member. Everything is kept perfectly spotless by the staff.
A gun-friendly country, with more arms than citizens. Everyone is poised to whip out a revolver and defend themselves at any time. From this balance emerge respect and peace.
These are ideas that progressives tend to oppose, and not without reason. The monocultural idea requires forceful assimilation. The aristocratic idea cements an unjust division of labor. And the gun idea, too often to ignore, ends in bloodshed. Obviously, these ideas cause harm, and should be adjusted.
But I like them. Reality might not support them, but they’re exciting to fantasize about, aesthetically pleasing to my mind’s eye. Homogenous communities are pretty. I like movies that are set in big, mysterious mansions. Gun violence looks good on screen too. Indeed, it’s possible to enjoy harmful ideas conceptually. Important, even, to some people.
Progressives: If you want people to hear your arguments, let them know that you’re not attacking their concepts. Concede that their concepts do possess beauty.
They’ll be more inclined to listen, then, to the problems that emerge when those concepts interface with the real world.