FDS (and TDS)

Matt Taibbi's column and Chris Thomas' use (creation?) of FDS got me thinking and writing this AM...

The proper response is (at least) pity for those who believe in the many conspiracies about Fauci. My old friend Chris Thomas may have coined the term/acronym FDS in a post earlier this week-- and despite its awkward initial use, it's a (really) nice addition to the discussion.

As with TDS, there are two versions of FDS: one each on the Left and the Right-- and among partisan Dems/GOPs. Here, one side imagines all sorts of (wild) things that Covid and Fauci supposedly did; on the other side is the inability to trash Fauci for his obvious sins. In contrast, "sanity" sees both; honesty/candor is able to acknowledge both.

As with TDS, one key symptom of FDS is the inability to empathize and see both sides. Add in biased patterns of media intake (read/listen/watch) and you're putting yourself at great risk (akin to licking a subway stairwell railing). Add in dogmatism and you have a serious case.

No shame/condemnation here (unless you're aggressively harming others). Seriously. These are big problems in the culture today-- and a big problem for many individuals-- but repentance and recovery are possible.