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Comment by dmitrygr | Hacker News Reader

  > I'd be surprised if you've
  > never had to stop associating
  > with people who beliefs you
  > did not share at all.

That really isn't how fully functional adults act. You should be perfectly fine knowing someone who disagrees with you. In fact, that exposes you to variety of opinions (which is good good your critical thinking abilities). Why else talk to anyone at all, if you've just surrounded yourself with only yes men, who just agree with you on everything?

You can disagree with someone and still be friends, enjoy a conversation, or have other things in common. Even about politics. Even about everything.

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This is exactly the kind of comment I was trying to prevent with the "at all" and your image being adversely affected by association with the other. Please look at the comment in the whole context and not pick the parts that make it look unreasonable.

There are always things that people disagree on, but they are not going to adversely affect you because of their belief. I can be an omnivore and another can choose to be vegan, but I would not disassociate only on that.

I will be friends with anyone interesting. Especially if that's someone whose opinions are the opposite of mine. That would be fascinating. Let anyone judge me for that as they will.

Find something to stand for, and don't be afraid to be juged for it.

What is it you fear? Someone thinking that because you're friends with a Trump voter, you're a monster somehow?

Let it be publicly known that I'm friends with Trump voters, Hillary voters, Gary Johnson voters, and even someone who once voted for Nader.

I'm ready to be judged.

If I were a public figure who wanted absolutely zero association with something, I'd take steps to make sure I were not associated and could not be reasonably associated with said thing. FB employs a ton of people with widespread beliefs. Palmer happened to be a public figure whose associations with FB could cause discord if not already.

Adults are not the perfectly rational beings you are painting them to be.

Sure, but they can always work to better themselves, though, instead of making excuses for being how they are.

That's how it should be, sure. It's rarely how it is in my view.

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