The debate is whether the space occupied by a reclining seat “belongs” to the passenger in the seat, or the passenger behind the seat.
In all these debates (I’ve seen many), advocates for either view are certain the answer is (a) obvious and (b) corresponds with whatever they personally prefer. (b), presumably (and to be charitable), because everyone else must surely prefer whatever they prefer. Tall people tend to be sure the space obviously belongs to the passenger behind. People who can’t sleep sitting upright think it’s obvious the space belongs to the passenger in front.
The lack of introspection or understanding of how someone else could see it differently is what really amazes. Each viewpoint seems utterly obvious to its adherents—those who disagree must be either inconsiderate and selfish, or whining, entitled and oblivious that they enjoy the same rights as other passengers.
This seems like a model for many other disagreements of more import.
Why are we so blind to the equal weight of symmetrical opinions?
Why are we so blind to our bias toward rules that benefit ourselves over others?
For what it’s worth, I think the answer is completely obvious, too, and have killer logical arguments proving that I’m right, which those who disagree with me must be willfully ignoring since they’re so obvious.
The debate is whether the space occupied by a reclining seat “belongs” to the passenger in the seat, or the passenger behind the seat.
In all these debates (I’ve seen many), advocates for either view are certain the answer is (a) obvious and (b) corresponds with whatever they personally prefer. (b), presumably (and to be charitable), because everyone else must surely prefer whatever they prefer. Tall people tend to be sure the space obviously belongs to the passenger behind. People who can’t sleep sitting upright think it’s obvious the space belongs to the passenger in front.
The lack of introspection or understanding of how someone else could see it differently is what really amazes. Each viewpoint seems utterly obvious to its adherents—those who disagree must be either inconsiderate and selfish, or whining, entitled and oblivious that they enjoy the same rights as other passengers.
This seems like a model for many other disagreements of more import.
Why are we so blind to the equal weight of symmetrical opinions?
Why are we so blind to our bias toward rules that benefit ourselves over others?
For what it’s worth, I think the answer is completely obvious, too, and have killer logical arguments proving that I’m right, which those who disagree with me must be willfully ignoring since they’re so obvious.