Polarizing people provoke, annoy, inspire. But what does she do? We have collected some properties.
Whoever polarizes separates. A fairly simple equation that does not always do justice to polarizing people. When we think of people who divide entire societies, we might instinctively think of people like Donald Trump, who consciously and purposefully sow discord and divide with their populist statements.
“You have enemies? Good. That means you stood up for something at some point in your life,” wrote author Victor Hugo in 1845. Those who polarize, who:the offend – for example with the powerful or with those who would rather things stay the way they were. Who do we remember in human history? To those who loudly questioned the status of the world? Or those who surrendered to the course of events and let themselves be carried away, like so many before and after them?
Those who polarize remain in the memory, stimulate emotions – for better or for worse. Stands up for what he:she believes in, lives authentically and doesn’t want to please everyone. People who polarized have already done great and terrible things in their lives – some actions had consequences for the whole world. We have collected some characteristics that can indicate that a person has a polarizing character.
Traits that polarizing people have
Anyone who has a polarizing personality is above all one thing: anything but simple. Nobody will be able to put this person in a certain corner so easily, nobody will be able to evade this person so easily. Some properties are listed here.
The person has opinions – very strong and very many
As the quote at the beginning already makes clear: If you stand up for something with heart and soul, you will inevitably offend certain people. The beautiful and terrible thing about our world is that there are diverse opinions on things, some of them legitimate and understandable, some others less so. But there may be a social consensus on what is “legitimate” and what is not (most people in Germany, for example, probably agree that racism is a no-go), but how the individual thinks about it is entirely up to you other sheet.
Particularly popular topics with people who polarize: religion and politics. People can split very quickly with these areas, because there are probably few people in the world who have no opinion on either of the two. And the chance is quite high that the person also defines themselves through their opinion on one or both topics – ergo is particularly sensitive.
It inspires passionate debate in others
The transition from one characteristic to the next is fluid: Because whoever “provokes” others with certain topics also logically stimulates very lively discussions about oneself. An obvious example is probably Donald Trump: the former US President is celebrated by some people and seen as the salvation of their world order – others see him more as the downfall of anyone Order.
Ultimately, such people are basically the living personification of a sensitive topic: Almost everyone has an opinion on it, usually a very strong one, which he:she also sees as a building block of self-definition – and when they come across someone who:the one has a different opinion, then such a discussion can become quite passionate and loud, sometimes even violent.
The best qualities can be the worst qualities
People have discussions about polarizing people because these people are difficult to “pin down” on certain traits. On the one hand, the person’s determination is exemplary, an undoubtedly positive characteristic with which this person brings about change – because he knows what he wants and how to get it. The other side sees this as more of a stubbornness: This person is undeterred, no matter how well-founded the arguments are, and ruthlessly follows the line that he, in his arrogance, has chosen as the only possible way.
Anyone who admires these people will see a whole range of qualities in them that they themselves rate as positive. On the other hand, if you take a critical look at these people, you won’t have to look far for characteristics that confirm this assessment. It will be difficult for either side to be persuaded by the other’s point of view.
These people are unforgettable
Who stays in our memory? Someone who doesn’t say a word, prefers to work in the background, says yes and amen to everything? Or someone who exudes self-confidence, stands out from the crowd – if need be – and is willing to fight for their own beliefs?
Whatever we may think of such people, whether we kiss the ground beneath their feet or curse their every word: We don’t forget these people that easily. Polarizing people have always done great things and terrible things—and the world still remembers some of them to this day.
Source used: hackspirit.com