but what we talk about and argue over is our perception of it, which is far from objective. Scientific method helps, but we both know of dozens of examples of the wrong theory giving the right answers for centuries, until some new observation questions it. Then there's always the "different parts of the elephant issue", and how the same reality looks very different at different scales of time and space and from different perspectives. When you come right down to it, physics is only a little bit firmer than economics or politics. Unfortunately, the latter two are vital to our personal self-interest, so no one can be counted on to be objective at all.

As far as subjective reality is concerned, "insufferably smug, self-congratulating insults and simple-minded generalizations about your opponents" is exactly what prompted this thread, and the Great Moratorium, and most of the conflict on this board and in the country as a whole. It's why I've taken the extraordinary (for me) step of calling out a perfect stranger on a public forum for it. Do you really think those are solely liberal inventions designed specifically to abuse conservatives?

Physician, heal thyself.