--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My politics were pretty anarchistic until…" description: "\"My politics were pretty anarchistic until 1969 when the Montreal police went on strike. Within hours, mayhem and rioting broke out and the Mounties had..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/steven-pinker-526_broke_my-politics-were-pretty-anarchistic-unti_1416954.jpg" --- # My politics were pretty anarchistic until 1969 when the… ![“My politics were pretty anarchistic until 1969 when the Montreal police went on strike. Within hours, mayhem and rioting broke out and the Mounties had to be called in to restore order. It instilled in me that one's convictions can be subjected to empirical test.” quote by Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/steven-pinker-526_broke_my-politics-were-pretty-anarchistic-unti_1416954.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/steven-pinker-526_broke_my-politics-were-pretty-anarchistic-unti_1416954.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/steven-pinker-526_broke_my-politics-were-pretty-anarchistic-unti_1416954.jpg) > “My politics were pretty anarchistic until 1969 when the Montreal police went on strike. Within hours, mayhem and rioting broke out and the Mounties had to be called in to restore order. It instilled in me that one's convictions can be subjected to empirical test.” [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal experience showed that beliefs can be challenged by real events, prompting reassessment of political views. **In simple terms:** Experiences can test and change beliefs. Key Takeaway Be open to evidence that challenges your assumptions. Themes politics personal growth empiricism Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - political activism - law enforcement - personal reflection Key Concepts cognitive flexibility belief revision social order Questions to Reflect On - How have you re-evaluated a core belief after new facts? - What role does evidence play in shaping ideology? A Different Perspective Beliefs may resist change despite contrary evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conviction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conviction/) [Mayhem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mayhem/) [Montreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/montreal/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) ## Related quotes > [I think anarchy is natural to the Catholic. The Church is pretty anarchistic, you know. Who pays attention to the Pope or the Cardinals?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-day/i-think-anarchy-is-natural-to-the-catholic-the-church-is-pretty/) [Dorothy Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-day/) > [I was a union member in my youth as well and I went on strike, and I don't think it solved anything. 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