By Price Hutchins

I was at the dump recently and witnessed an altercation that might have risen to the level of road rage, and was at least a scary confrontation. Two adult men were accusing, yelling, swearing, and squaring off for a fist-fight. Things were getting out of hand quickly. The cause of the altercation was apparently a severe case of tailgating on the way to the dump. These were not two young Turks bantering about business, or a woman, or ownership of a dog. They were old men arguing about tailgating. The argument was broken up by a careful, measured remark by a town employee. One man screeched off, the other tried to make his case to those of us left at the dump. I found it unsettling. These two guys knew each other and would meet again shortly at Rosie’s, the town hall, or in the grocery store. What would they say? Would they be embarrassed by their foolishness? Would a lifelong dislike of each other begin? Would charges be filed?

Why this story? It is apparent to me that in all our discourse, whether it be political, environmental, or social, we are moving towards a time where we don’t use commons sense and considered thought to work out our disagreements.

Last week I had breakfast with one of my closest friends. We have skied together, dined together, and socialized together. But, over the past 30 years we have moved in separate directions politically. Only politically. We used to joke about our divergence in political views. A while ago it stopped being funny. Then it stopped being a topic at all. We are fine on all other topics, but stuck when it comes to politics.

I understand that America is famous for compromise. There is always something we have in common. I have strong political opinions, but I like to think that I am still able to have meaningful discussions about world views. In reality, I believe what I believe. I dismiss much of what I hear to the contrary. Recently, I heard one of my close friends say that, “if it’s not on Fox News, I don’t believe it.” Even though I was aghast, I have to admit that if I see it on Fox I suspect it, and if I see it on CNN I tend to believe it. The term that has crept into our vocabulary is “siloed.” We believe the things that support our opinion and disbelieve the things that don’t. I think I could add, “and generally are not interested in seeing another viewpoint."

You can tell when siloing is present. Empty witticisms like, “At least he’s not her!” “They’re all liars and crooks.” “If there’s really global warming why is it so cold?” become the "gotchas." None of these remarks is evidence of serious reflection.

Generally, I believe CNN, the BBC, Nova, National Geographic, and that Highlights Magazine I still find in pediatricians’ lobbies. It’s not that these organizations are always correct; they aren’t. What they are notable for is looking back with humility at previous work. They revisit a subject from 20 years ago or a month ago and take a fresh look. You must know of similar organizations. For example, The National Girl Scouts have reinvented their stand on homosexuality and a woman’s role in society. Their mirror organization, The Boy Scouts, is confused and unresponsive.

I do not believe the NRA, the Republican or Democratic Parties, and Fox news. In part because I don’t see where these organizations are capable of self-inspection and humility. I am siloed about global warming, abortion, free trade, immigration, religion, gun control, Russian meddling, and politicians. Mentioning a topic won’t tell you what the contents of that silo are. If you know me you can guess a lot of it, but even my closet allies will be misled on a few of the topics.

So, now that I managed to upset all my friends and neighbors, how do I segue to my subject: our environment? Well, let’s grapple with one small environmental news item and see how it plays out.

I recently read that North America has lost 25 percent of its wild birds since 1970. It’s speculation but, commonly accepted, that this is due to a combination of pesticides, loss of habitat, and — believe it or not — windows, cats, and cars. In recent conversations I have found that some people couldn’t care less about this environmental footnote. A few cry foul (I just couldn’t ignore the pun), damning it as another “weirdo conspiracy.” Some nod knowingly at the pesticides and habitat part. But almost all shrug or smile about windows, cats, and cars. A quick google search lists domestic cats as dispatching a half a billion birds yearly in the United States alone. Cars account for one million and windows a whopping billion. We sure enjoy our views, though.

I’m not willing to die on this hill. I will not break up with my cat-loving friend and I don’t think the National Transportation Department can be lobbied to insist on bird-friendly car design. But I have just put the silhouettes that announce to all the birds “glass!” on my big kitchen window.

My unofficial and biased pole is emblematic of where we all stand in our discourse about issues we have “siloed.” Some of us don’t care; some of us deny; some of us are certain; and, most of us will eventually be found to be wrong. It’s best if we all have some crow stashed in the freezer for these times.

(Price Hutchins is at the peak of a mediocre career that career includes restaurant owner, carpenter, toilet paper salesperson, stay at home Dad, chemical salesperson, Home Depot Associate, and entrepreneur. He continues to throw money and sweat at the big yellow house in Lovell.)