So interesting Carol, I started yoga blogging around 2010 as well and you were the first person to harshly criticize what I had written (I think on Elephant Journal?) causing me to want to withdraw any public writings ongoingly. What I had written at that time was more of my own experience rather than trying to espouse any truths but you still hammered at me questioning what you assumed were neoliberal themes. Ironic I suppose, and no doubt we’ve both grown and changed since that time.
Hi Pamela - I'm sorry to hear that. And hope that whatever I said did not, in fact, cause you stop writing. Since I don't know what you're referring to, I can't comment directly on that particular exchange (feel free to send or share a link if you want to revisit).
But, I can imagine that, given my personality and interests, not to mention coming from an academic background where I became very used to asking and being asked difficult questions and having debates, I could have engaged with your article in a way that seemed overly harsh and off-putting. From what you say, it sounds like that happened, and I'm sorry for that.
Thinking back, I do remember a process of trying to figure out how to engage with people in the yoga blogosphere who had very different priors - and often, very different outlooks and commitments - with more understanding and sensitivity. As noted, people did disagree a lot; that was part of the learning process.
Unfortunately, there's no immediate short-cut to developing a sense of where others are coming from if it's quite different from you. Even if you want to learn, it takes time and ongoing engagement, and isn't easy. Yet, what's the alternative? I don't think there is one.
Speaking more generally, one of the perennial problems with public discussion is how to set it up so that it's maximally inclusive while still being open to disagreement and debate. There's no perfect solution, whether online or not.
Even in very structured settings where everyone has already chosen to engage in such discussions regularly, and even has the same kind of education and training (such as I experienced in grad school), it's regularly very difficult, both intellectually and emotionally. It would be nice if this could be avoided. But realistically, I don't think it can be.
Even with family and friends, it can be very difficult - if not much more so - to disagree about something you believe is important. But, being silent and never sharing your true thoughts with others for fear of upsetting or being upset is not a good solution, either.
At any rate, thanks for reading and making me (at least try to) practice what I preach by sharing a challenging comment.
Thanks Carol, great to see you developing in this direction, I wish you all the best. Onward!
Thanks, Emilia!
So interesting Carol, I started yoga blogging around 2010 as well and you were the first person to harshly criticize what I had written (I think on Elephant Journal?) causing me to want to withdraw any public writings ongoingly. What I had written at that time was more of my own experience rather than trying to espouse any truths but you still hammered at me questioning what you assumed were neoliberal themes. Ironic I suppose, and no doubt we’ve both grown and changed since that time.
Hi Pamela - I'm sorry to hear that. And hope that whatever I said did not, in fact, cause you stop writing. Since I don't know what you're referring to, I can't comment directly on that particular exchange (feel free to send or share a link if you want to revisit).
But, I can imagine that, given my personality and interests, not to mention coming from an academic background where I became very used to asking and being asked difficult questions and having debates, I could have engaged with your article in a way that seemed overly harsh and off-putting. From what you say, it sounds like that happened, and I'm sorry for that.
Thinking back, I do remember a process of trying to figure out how to engage with people in the yoga blogosphere who had very different priors - and often, very different outlooks and commitments - with more understanding and sensitivity. As noted, people did disagree a lot; that was part of the learning process.
Unfortunately, there's no immediate short-cut to developing a sense of where others are coming from if it's quite different from you. Even if you want to learn, it takes time and ongoing engagement, and isn't easy. Yet, what's the alternative? I don't think there is one.
Speaking more generally, one of the perennial problems with public discussion is how to set it up so that it's maximally inclusive while still being open to disagreement and debate. There's no perfect solution, whether online or not.
Even in very structured settings where everyone has already chosen to engage in such discussions regularly, and even has the same kind of education and training (such as I experienced in grad school), it's regularly very difficult, both intellectually and emotionally. It would be nice if this could be avoided. But realistically, I don't think it can be.
Even with family and friends, it can be very difficult - if not much more so - to disagree about something you believe is important. But, being silent and never sharing your true thoughts with others for fear of upsetting or being upset is not a good solution, either.
At any rate, thanks for reading and making me (at least try to) practice what I preach by sharing a challenging comment.