Is "Thinkingfeeling" really just one word?

At a Commencement Ceremony the other day (congratulations Murphy!) the speaker spoke about living in a “post-truth” America. The Reverend Dr. Thatamanil explained that in an America where truth is relative, where there are alternative facts, where outright falsehoods masquerade as truth that one cannot overcome the “post-truth” with logic alone. Once someone becomes a member of that cult, any “fact” only pushes them deeper and deeper down the rabbithole.

He advocated for a new word: thinkingfeeling. I know, awkward. But he has a point. We can see that the inauguration crowds were small and then we’re told they were the “largest crowds ever, full stop.”  We see violence and destruction on January 6th and are told it was “peaceful” and “filled with love.” We see economic, polling, and other data and are told it’s “fake news.” And this isn’t coming from our crazy uncle at Thanksgiving. And there are many, many people who believe those things. Logic cannot and will not change hearts and minds. 

Instead, Rev. Thatamanil advocates for understanding the feelings they possess. See their perspective. Perceive and figure out how their heart works. And try to respect those feelings. And if that happens, he believes that thinkingfeeling may work to move us into truth instead of the “post-truth” area we find ourselves in. Maybe he’s right…I’m willing to give thinkingfeeling a chance.