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  • This is the biggest issue in our country tbh, there's a reason rural people are more bigoted and it's because they don't see LGTBQ+/other races/anyone different at all in their tiny world, and not knowing creates fear.

    Living in cities you're constantly surrounded by so many people that you just ignore everyone, and for the most part are just "let everyone do their own thing". People really need to step out of their comfort zones.

    • PBS programs like Sesame Street were the only exposure I had to non-white cultures as a young kid as the city population where I went to schoole at the time was in the upper 90% white range and I mostly hung out with other rural kids because of proximity. A show with people just doing people things was a great way to normalize diversity.

    • Or at least allow other people to do their thing.

      I’m happy in my comfort zone, and am probably the last person to try something new. I’m not interested in leaving my comfort zone. I’m also not about to rip other people out of their comfort zone and harass them. Last time I checked, someone else eating food I never would or being trans when I’m not is no threat to me and my own world. Why would I ever try to threaten theirs?

      • Eh I'd still suggest it. I won't force people to but generally it's good to get out and try new things. You don't have to like them, but truly we get one life and you don't want to make it to the end and realize you didn't try anything. I like my rut too, but I still try to travel, experience new cultures, try that weird new food, talk to someone who's different from me, go to that risque show that I normally wouldn't, those are all life experiences that we can only do for so long and then it's just over.

        We go to work and follow our routine every day, a couple times a year try to push the boundaries a bit, you never know what you may like that's out there

        • I don't know. I'm terrified of death but if I knew I would die tomorrow I would definitely NOT be thinking "I regret not trying more things." I would do more of the same thing I've always loved to get as much known happiness before I die. Some people are just not wired that way. I don't want anyone to feel pushed into trying new things or like they have to just because it's what everyone else advocates for. As long as you're able to tolerate those different from you, no problem. "Be open-minded" is really only required insofar as being tolerant, as realizing people who have different perspectives from you may still be good people. You need not be adventurous and into traveling and learning about different cultures and eating that new trendy food to be a decent human being. I'm happy where I am and not making anyone miserable, and I will defend my right to stay in my bubble so long as I don't start becoming intolerant and mean.

          The fact I'm autistic may factor into my perspective. But I don't think it changes my point at all. My life, my choices, and while I get you're probably well-intentioned and just want to improve my quality of life, because of my own personal history with this kind of perspective and being told similar things it feels somewhat pushy. There's a decent chance it is not pushy in reality and it’s only my perception coloring things, especially since you did mention not trying to force anyone into things. If I want to try something new it will come from me choosing it, not about how I need to get out of my bubble or I specifically need to try it or I need to be more open-minded or most relevantly to this conversation, how I'll regret not trying more things (implicitly, how I'll regret being the person I am—someone who prefers to stay in their comfort zone).

    • So put them on TV. Expose them that way. I myself am SUPER bitter about conservatives crying about "forced diversity" in media. I just want to shove it down their throats now. But representation is really really important. Just that my motives for it are based on resentment.

    • I don't think it is quite so simple. A lot of folks go to very rural areas because they're mostly monocultured. Call it white flight I guess.

74 comments