Superman had kryptonite, we have extremism. 

Have we ever stopped to consider that the reason why extremism is so destructive is because extremism defies our true nature?

(Participant cards)

• Might extremism disturb the natural order of things?

• Might it run afoul of our predestined natural path? 

• Is the reason we do not ever solve for extremism, is that we underestimate its effect on society?

Let us consider: 

• 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 don’t we instinctively fly into fight or flight mode?

• When dealing with someone who we deem extreme, don’t we put our own guard up, and instinctively run away from them; or try to extinguish their threat?

Suggested activities and readings about extremism:

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 do the extreme positions on both sides of race -  cause us to remain divided by issues of race?

Read LTM p127 Middle to 130 end. 

Consider:

Chinese culture, yin and yang 

- the Middle Way (Buddhism)

- Aristotle's Golden Mean

- Confucian Doctrine of the Mean

- Daoism and Natural Balance

- Stoicism

All philosophies/faiths pointing towards moderation as intended path!      

Read LTM pages -  look at extreme differences between the narcissist and the empath and discuss.  LTM Chapter Nine; The Play by Play extreme differences in conservatives and liberal mindsets. Discuss the differences between “Bob and Sally”. See chart on page ___.

 If both sides were to move to the middle would this cause us to come together? 

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)

(Leaders, please independently research this phenomenon,research extremism and help people understand the incredibly huge problem extreme positions are having on American culture, and would make the world a better place. We never stop pushing each other's buttons, because we do not teach or value the Natural Laws in America, to the extent that this course is suggesting that we must)