There are so many articles for and against owning guns and climate change that I will not try to deconstruct these topics. I do want to address the topic of the use of hyperbole in solving problems. There are many hot button topics in the world today (there always will be). When discussing the solutions for these problems we usually create new set of problems with the use of radical rhetoric. How do we avoid an impasse on such critical topics? I hope the following will give us some insight.

The first step is to recognize there is a problem and to leave our passions at the door. If you talk about mass shootings, it is obvious this is a problem in this country that needs our immediate attention. When addressing this problem maybe some unbiased statistics will help. Between 1994 and 2013 crime has gone down 72% in this country. The right thinks this is a reason to not touch the gun laws at all. The left will take this statistic and immediately shift to the number of mass shootings. The problem we are addressing might not be either? The number of opiate addictions, the increase in people on medications for psychological disorders is rising. These people own guns and ipso facto the number of mass shootings has increased. I am not trying to advocate for guns or removal of guns, I just think we are talking about different subjects at times and ramping up the rhetoric is polarizing Americans, not solving an obvious problem.

Climate change. Our climate has obviously changed in my lifetime. Yet, hyperbole that says the earth will end in 12 years if we do not radically change our consumption of fossil fuels is just overstating the problem. On the other side we have people that say nothing needs to be done, the environment will work itself out. Both views are just as radical. The good news is there has never been a better time on earth to grow crops and advance mankinds food supply. The bad news is this greenhouse effect if left unchecked will eventually turn on mankind. Either side would be remiss in not acknowledging the true condition we have on our planet. We are trying to debate problems based on our radical projections or by burying our heads in the sand. Neither method is helpful in plotting a course for mankind.

To overstate or understate a problem is toxic to a real life discussion. We often employ fear tactics when people do not take our side in a discussion. The elevation of words, the extreme hyperbole we use today only serves to make sensible people throw up their hands and walk away. Yet the problems we face still exist. I have found that when you have a stalemate happening with a problem, someone has to be the adult in the room. Letting a little air out of the balloon (compromise?) is the beginning step in solving most problems. When you find yourself in a staring contest the strongest person will look away, not the weaker one. Do you really want to solve the problems that are beginning to plague our society? Listen, think and act. You will garner a great deal more attention than using sensless hyperbole.