Dichotomy, rhetoric, evaluation and empowerment (part 1)

Here is a useful framework for freeing ourselves from fear.

This tool contains four elements. Dichotomy, rhetoric, evaluation and empowerment.

Dichotomy presents us a choice between two contrasting options.

This trait prompts us to reflect on our own beliefs and encourages critical thinking. Dichotomy helps to break free from binary thinking and open up possibilities for more nuanced understanding.

For example, late one night, our relative sends us a link to one of those fear inducing, clickbait news articles that has clearly been optimized to provoke panic buying of bleach and toilet paper.

Here’s a dichotomy we might introduce.

Is this a set of orders to be followed, or information to be considered?

Goodbye fear, hello discernment. Imagine if more of us learned to interrupt our digital addictions and asked such a question. We’d remind ourselves that the business model of the media industrial complex is sensationalism and emotional triggers used to win eyeballs and click. We’d remember that this article isn’t meant to school us, mostly scare us.

Sure, it’s possible that due to current economic conditions, the supply chain will be disrupted, leading to a scarcity of toilet paper, resulting in us having to wipe our asses with pieces of notebook paper.

But it ain’t probable. Saner heads can prevail.

Dichotomy helps us see through the veil and separate fact from fiction. It’s a boundary management device. We dichotomize our thinking to learn what’s ours and what’s theirs. To actively engage rather than passively accept.

Remember, fear thrives on polarization. It convinces us that there is always a right or wrong choice, which paralyzes us into inaction.

Dichotomy undermines that power. Dichotomy breaks free from fear’s constraints so we can make choices based on a broader understanding of the world.

Think of it this way. Fear is the black and white cookie of emotions. Dichotomy is rainbow sprinkled donut. Consuming the latter unhooks me from the cycle of anxiety and avoidance.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about the next tool, rhetoric.