Superman had kryptonite, we have extremism.  Extremism in all of its forms is the root cause of all societal dysfunction. Have we ever stopped to consider that the reason why extremism is so destructive is because extremism defies our true nature. It disturbs the natural order of things. It runs afoul of our predestined natural path.   If and when people were to research this statement, and try to disprove it, they would find that they could not disprove it.  The reason we do not ever solve for extremism, is that we underestimate its effect on society.

Extremism has an insidious effect on us. When confronted with something that we think is not within the realm of our own cultural norms or values we instinctively fly into fight or flight mode. We believe that the person represents a threat, and that they are so devoid of understanding that there is no rationally dealing with an extremist - therefore we put our own guard up, and instinctively run away from them; or try to extinguish their threat ;  never solving for the difference of opinion or perspective that is at the heart of our perceptions - or theirs.  

If teachers within this curriculum could further explain this phenomenon, and research extremism they will help people understand the incredibly huge problem our sensationalized and extreme positions are having on American culture, and would make the world a better place. 

Consider our current (2024/2025) culture wars:

1. Radical expressions of victimhood by individuals demanding social justice in the name of their own rights and privileges.  Case study: transgender boy swims in girls race ;consider the blow back this had in terms of the landslide victory by the far right of the conservative political movement - 2025 

2. Consider the extreme differences in opinion in our race culture war, coleman hughes v. abrahm xendi (crt)    do the extreme positions on both sides of race -  cause us remain divided by issues of race?

If both sides were to move to the middle ? (refer to natural laws here: would each side in believing NL’s would this cause us to come together - this is a contention

Suggested Resources: 

****Exercise 1: Please read LTM pages 127 Middle to 130 end - Chinese culture, yin and yang: Discuss

****Exercise 2: Please read LTM pages -  look at differences between the narcissist and the empath: Discuss

We never stop pushing each other's buttons, because we do not value the middle as our intended path. 

***** LTM Play by Play -  (LTM - bob n sally chart here) Discuss

Quotations to discuss:

“A society with­out liberals would be harsh and oppressive to many individuals. A society without conservatives would lose many of the social structures and con­straints that are so valuable.” (242) 

 “liberals and conservatives are like yin and yang – both are ‘necessary elements of a healthy state of political life,’” (538) 

 “If there is any one secret of success it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from their angle as well as your own. If you do truly see it the other person’s way – deeply and intuitively – you might even find your own mind opening” Henry Ford  (99)