Category: Insights

Serious posts and stuff to think about

When the Nazis are on your side

Whether you consider Trump leaving office to be cause for celebration or despair, I hope we all can agree that we still have a huge problem — namely, that a tangible segment of his supporters are Nazis.

I see so many conservatives using this caveat as a way to continue tolerating the presence of Nazis on their side, to weasel their way out of what I seriously hope is the deep discomfort that they are on the same side as Nazis.… Read More When the Nazis are on your side

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Another difference between liberals and conservatives

My general life philosophy is that we’re all human beings, and we just need to learn to communicate better with each other. This philosophy does not, however, preclude the possibility of there being actual biological differences between different groups of people.

No, we are not all the same.

Yes, it absolutely does open up a huge can of worms to even consider that there might be basic biological differences between, say, the different human ethnicities (yes, I am aware that “race” and “ethnicity” are often social constructs; no, they are not always social constructs), or the different genders (yes, I am aware that science is now realizing that gender is fluid; no, that doesn’t mean there aren’t different genders).… Read More Another difference between liberals and conservatives

Dennis Hong6 Comments

You shouldn’t care that Trump supporters were offended by NPR

When you vilify your opponent by presenting the most extreme, most irrational position from the other side, it’s easy to feel smug and believe that your position is the obvious one.

The problem is, doing so only diverts our collective attention from the issues that actually matter. Think about it this way: If you truly hate our current president, and you oppose every policy he has and every inch of his very being, how does this little anecdote help you advance your cause?… Read More You shouldn’t care that Trump supporters were offended by NPR

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I Empathize with Trump Supporters (and You Should, too)

I’ll even wager that you yourself have friends you didn’t realize are Trump supporters. If you discover one, don’t shame them. Ask them, sincerely and openly, how they came to their decision. Because the ones who are least vocal about their support are probably the ones with the most compelling reasons for actually supporting him. These are the people who get what an asshole he is, yet believe they still need to vote for him. These are the people you should be engaging.

That’s how you change minds, you know. By connecting to them. Not by pounding them into submission.… Read More I Empathize with Trump Supporters (and You Should, too)

Dennis Hong5 Comments

I’m a Sanders Supporter, and I Might Just Vote for Trump

A Clinton Presidency represents the old establishment winning yet again. A Trump Presidency represents the people throwing a giant, orange-skinned, tiny-handed middle finger at the establishment.

A Sanders Presidency would have represented the possibility of change, to me at least. Because Sanders is enough of an outsider to challenge the establishment, but also has the experience to maybe, just maybe get something done within it when necessary.… Read More I’m a Sanders Supporter, and I Might Just Vote for Trump

Dennis Hong5 Comments

Further Thoughts on My Subtle Racism Column for Cracked

This morning, my latest column for Cracked was published, about the subtle racism that I experience regularly as an Asian-American.

Not surprisingly, some people didn’t quite get the point of the column. And so, I’d like to clear a few things up. Specifically, I want to respond to the comments that I’m whiny or angry or playing the victim by writing the column in the first place. To clarify then:… Read More Further Thoughts on My Subtle Racism Column for Cracked

Dennis Hong14 Comments

What’s the Most Memorable Film Score Ever?

I thought it would be fun to play a little game of Can You Hum That Film Score?

The rules of the game are simple. I’m going to name off a bunch of films with notable scores, and you’re going to check off the ones you can hum from memory. Not ones where you hear it, and you go, “Oh, that’s from this-and-this movie.” No, you have to have the tune already embedded in your conscious brain. If you can’t hum it from memory, then you can’t vote for it. Simple enough, right?… Read More What’s the Most Memorable Film Score Ever?

Dennis Hong2 Comments

I’m surrounded by assholes

There are assholes on both sides of the political and social spectrum, ready to cry foul at the slightest hint of injustice, eager to pick any fight at any opportunity. These are not people who seek rational discourse and an understanding of the other side’s experiences. These are people who just want to be heard above everyone else, whether or not they have anything worthy of being heard. Most often, they don’t.… Read More I’m surrounded by assholes

Dennis Hong1 Comment

Why self-defense is a dumb argument against gun control

I usually stay middle-of-the-road when it comes to politics, but when I see a breakdown in logic and reason, I always feel compelled to point it out. So here we go….

In light of this latest shooting in South Carolina, you’re probably seeing this argument again. The person espousing this argument may even share a video that shows an innocent person pulling a gun in self-defense.… Read More Why self-defense is a dumb argument against gun control

Dennis Hong12 Comments

Why I can mock Rachel Dolezal and still support Caitlyn Jenner

Sure, I get the confusion. Why must we respect one person’s decision to transform from a man to a woman, but we roll our eyes at another person’s decision to transform from a white person to a black person?

So here’s the answer: It’s not hypocritical in the least bit if you have any understanding of gender identity. And in fact, I realize now that much of the prejudice against Caitlyn stems from a core misunderstanding of the biology of gender. As such, I figured I’d post my reply to my friend here, in the hopes that it will clear up some of this misunderstanding:… Read More Why I can mock Rachel Dolezal and still support Caitlyn Jenner

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Is it wrong to call Caitlyn Jenner courageous?

If the mere idea of Caitlyn Jenner being Caitlyn Jenner makes you uncomfortable, fair enough. If you have no understanding or empathy for the difficulties a transgendered person has to face every single day, that’s your privilege.

But in that case, just own up to your bigotry, okay? Don’t drag our country’s proud servicemen down to your level with false dichotomies.… Read More Is it wrong to call Caitlyn Jenner courageous?

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The Only Thing Terrifying About “The Hot Zone” is How Fraudulent it is

I just found out that the book The Hot Zone (which describes itself as “the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus”) grossly exaggerates the dangers of the virus. And I’d say the word “grossly” is pretty apt here. In case you haven’t read it, here’s an excerpt from the book: He coughs a… Read More The Only Thing Terrifying About “The Hot Zone” is How Fraudulent it is

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Why I Love Getting Trolled on Facebook

As a writer, of course I want people to read my stuff. And the way Facebook’s newsfeed algorithms work, the more likes and shares and comments a piece of content gets, the more it will get pushed to the top of people’s news feeds. When I post a link to an article, and the post ends up getting 100+ comments, Facebook considers that a high level of engagement, and more people will end up seeing the link. It doesn’t matter if half those comments are written by a small group of people who are vehement in their dislike of the article. When it comes to social media and virality, any activity is good activity.… Read More Why I Love Getting Trolled on Facebook

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