A Cheat Sheet for Fixing Broken Systems - Politics, Education, Law, Work, Relationships

Every day in America seems like the perfect time to discuss principled dissent. Just yesterday, some guy tracked a middle-aged woman down (who probably makes minimum wage) as a Home Depot cashier. Her offense? She wrote something malicious about Donald Trump on Facebook (“Too bad they weren’t a better shooter.” and “He’s the definition of corrupt and evil.”). Her due process? A strange man sneaked up and bombarded her with verbal attacks while videotaping as she tried to work. He posted it online and a portion of the 12 million watching demanded a termination by Home Depot.

And Home Depot complied within hours. Which is strange. Because this is a company that sells hoses, wood, and paint, and according to their corporate website, pinpoints “taking care of our people” as a core company value.

Let’s potentially agree on three things.

First, don’t write anything about threatening to kill someone else. There are too many guns on the street and too much violence in the world. This is the wrong territory to play in.

Second, give people a chance to explain themselves, apologize, and rectify their actions. That is, support character strengths that seem to be out of favor in the modern world: temperance, charity, and forgiveness (click here for how to do it).

Third, there is a great deal of economic inequality in society so let’s give extra grace to those scraping by with low pay work - like a middle-aged cashier at Home Depot.

Fourth, in our rush to show disdain, even hatred, to someone we often forget to consider collateral damage. A point expressed nicely by

Geoffrey Miller

:

We are often too quick to treat individuals with views we despise as if they're isolated, atomized individuals who have no familial or social bonds with others who may depend on them...These others may include X's spouse, their kids, their elderly parents, mentally ill or physically disabled family members or friends. Every time you get someone fired for having political views you don't like, this can have knock-on effects on whole families. 

With these four agreements, it’s worth adopting a different strategy toward people who say things that are bothersome. When you see someone being piled on or bullied, decide not to respond or even better, offer a counterpoint for why people should resist jumping to judge and execute. Lean toward being The Defender (which might be your principled rebel style - here):

Defenders offer support for those dealing with injustice and unfairness. There is the whistleblower who discloses misconduct (not unlike the referee who blows a whistle to halt illegal or foul behavior). There is the upstander who witnesses misdeeds and offers aid (the opposite of a passive bystander). There is the rescuer who helps someone in a dangerous situation despite the possibility of physical, social, economic, and/or emotional harm (best characterized by underpaid first line responders).  When managing a difficult problem, you want a defender by your side. Defenders and guided by a strong moral compass. They speak out publicly even when it is unpopular. They stop the spread of false, malicious information. They educate on why something is wrong. They risk their bodies to protect or save someone in jeopardy. They sacrifice reputation and resources in hopes of improving the well-being of others. Instead of waiting for a large number of people to find solutions to problems, Defenders take charge and help others. The central value of Defenders is fairness and justice.

Just writing this I know will lead some of those 12 million viewers to misinterpret my support for this woman keeping her job as evidence that I wish ill-will on Trump. In truth, I can separate these issues.

1. I am always against disproportionate punishment, irrespective of the politics.

2. I am always in support of due process. Generally, this means a person should have safeguards before being deprived of life, liberty, or property. They should be informed about everything that is happening and given a chance to voice their side of the story. It also means that an unbiased, impartial decision-making process and decision-maker should be determining their fate. Bullying leading to a firing is a departure from due process.

If this topic is of interest, I spoke about principled dissent on the Examined Life Podcast. Do not miss the:

• 9 minute mark - where I define principled insubordination

• 15 minute mark - where we discuss how this might differ in individualist versus collectivist societies

• 45 minute mark - where we discuss a messy education system.

But we need much more to be said on this topic of fighting against societal dysfunction. If you are a premium member of the Provoked community, below you will find detailed summary notes of my book on the topic, The Art of Insubordination. The cheat sheet below will help you retain the important lessons, tools, tactics, and strategies. Use them. Share them. Don’t wait for someone else to step up - you can lead, now.