Introduction to Counterpoint

I am starting "Counterpoint" to express my views on issues as I see them.

Because they are my views, they may not tally with contemporary thinking.I am, in fact, put out by the media generated hysteria that passes for discourse on several important matters affecting our lives, particularly where I live, but in general the world over. The media rules our living rooms, reinforced by graphic images that create powerful emotions, but you have to ask yourself all the while:"Is the accompanying commentary true? Does the whole representation approximate the Truth?"

I feel that somehow the right questions are not often asked. In science and even more, in economics and politics the attainment of even an approximately true answer can be a laborious and time-taking process.A framework of right questions creates a sort of touchstone that can be used to evaluate the answers as they arise.The views I shall express are my own, and based on what I understand to be true.I may be guilty of occasional incompeteness or inaccuracies: if someone points them out I shall in all humility accept the corrections.

It is also my intention to be as unbiased as possible, because bias is the root of much of civil conflict in our midst, and I believe that everyone has a duty to correct his personal bias towards others as much as he humanly can.

If, as a result of my observations I am able to start people asking the right questions, I shall have accomplished much of what I set out to achieve.