Why “The Third Alternative”?
Why is this blog called “The Third Alternative”?
What is this all about, anyway? Well, you've come to the right place for answers. Originally, the title came form a song by the metal band Monster Magnet, but there is nothing beyond that linking the blog to the song or its lyrics. It's just a band I like, and I thought it was a cool song name.
We often see extreme opposites all around us, and many people convinced their way is the best way. It's at the heart of most conflicts. This religion versus that one. This ideology versus that one. This color versus that one. But if you take the time to look deeper, you will notice very few things are black and white. Most thigs in the world are some shade of gray. When two perspectives collide, look for that gray area, look for that third alternative, and you'll be closer to the truth.
Example: you drive to work and someone cuts you off and speeds 30 past the speed limit. You mumble a swear word and shake your head. You call that driver an asshole. You don't think anything past this. We have rules on the road and this driver is clearly a danger to society and, more importantly, a jerk for cutting you off. What if this is a man who just got a call from the hospital and his wife just showed up in ER? Sure, it may not justify putting others on the road at risk, but maybe you will feel less self-righteous judging this “dangerous driver” when you know the full story.
My blog title is a reminder to myself to consider these angles when I write about something divisive.
©️ Razvan Ungureanu