Still disinterested, never uninterested

I’ve had a standard routine I’ve used on the first day of class for every course I’ve taught, regardless of subject, for the past five years. One of the new “first class” bits I’ve added in the past year or so has been the difference between disinterested and uninterested. “Uninterested” means what you think it means; when something doesn’t appeal to you, you are uninterested. “Disinterested” means impartial, as in, “A judge should be disinterested in the case.” (A scene in the 1991 film Bugsy contains this distinction if it helps you remember the difference.)

I tell my students we will examine political science (or history or economics or communications) with disinterest. Of course we may find the subjects interesting, and we may indeed have opinions, but at first study we should set that aside. Say we are considering a certain piece of legislation or economic program. One’s first instinct is to suggest whether it’s “good” or “bad” and therefore whether it should be adopted. The knee-jerk response is actually second-order thinking, and should be reserved for consideration following this: a disinterested consideration of the likely effects.

With any change or proposed change one can generally predict who stands to benefit and who stands to lose. Such an honest interpretation would be refreshing from any politician or journalist, but such appraisals are few and far between. One-eyed impassioned pleas are more the standard, touting potential benefits and ignoring potential costs. The current example of national health insurance is but one of a universe of examples hindered by this obstruction.

The past four years I’ve tried to take a disinterested view of politics and government. As we are still a (mostly) free people, we have the luxury to do this, a luxury not assumed by peasants of less-civilized places or times. But one of the other benefits of living in prosperous times is the ability of one to profess his views, wise or unwise, founded or unfounded. And with modern technology on my side, I welcome the opportunity to broadcast easily to a potentially large audience. So tell your friends, and revisit often. If nothing else, I hope I can hold your disinterest.

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About moc

My name is Mike O'Connell. I am 41 years old and live in Northern Virginia. I am a teacher, a musician, and an enthusiast of all things American.

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