Unique Reactions

I've been doing a lot of thinking today about the differing way people read, interpret, or react to things. I read a story that a friend shared and had what I would described as a somewhat disagreeable reaction to it; meaning, I significantly disagreed with what I interpreted to be the message of the article, on various levels, but was also uncertain as to my interpretation because the story was shared by a good friend, and one I considered eminently reasonable. So after my small reaction and some back and forth discussion, it was obvious that his interpretation of the article was substantially different than mine, and thus his purpose for sharing the article. While I could see his interpretation, I became more convinced, so to speak, of my own interpretation. Not necessarily of its rightness and the wrongness of all others (I try to avoid thinking in such a dichotomy), but just that I felt that my interpretation was reasonable (which is what I strive for).

All this gets me to thinking about how difficult it has to be to discuss weighty topics, when people's genuinely reasonable reactions are different. For the example with my friend, our interpretation weren't necessarily completely opposite of one another, but they were very, very, very different. I believe my reaction and interpretation to be genuine and reasonable; and I have no doubt that my friend's reaction was also genuine and reasonable.

Its a gentle reminder (at least to me) that everybody truly is unique, right down to the genuine reactions and interpretations from little things like sports and music to heavy things like politics and religion. Remembering that, and avoiding negative assumptions, is part of the key to having respectful discussions of such topics, whatever their seriousness, and overcoming one of the challenges or obstacles our uniqueness can provide to community.