Today’s world is a vitriolic one. Everyone has an opinion, as it should be. The difference is, do you dare to voice it? It used to be that differences in opinion brought out the true orators of the time—the true debaters and philosophers. Even diametrically opposed views still retained a residue of respect for the opponent. Not anymore.
In many cases, if you have the audacity to listen to all sides of an issue and not automatically vote the party ticket, or if you hold an opinion that does not align with the majority, beware.
If your opposition cannot support their views with facts, be prepared to be vilified, have your credibility attacked, and in some cases, have your actual safety threatened. This strategy is alive and well, and it must change if we are to advance as a species. What has happened to civil discourse?
It used to be that brave, honorable people fought the good fight by demonstrating intelligence, statesmanship, and facts to get their points across. Now individuals prevail by intimidation, slander, backroom deals, and taking whatever steps are necessary to gain support for unsupportable positions, with little regard for others. So much for being an interconnected web.
Why has society fallen so far? The answer is simple: because of each one of us. Don’t turn around thinking I am talking about someone else. I mean you, me, and everyone. Over the last 40 years or so, we as a society—through apathy—have allowed media to emphasize glorified confrontation, overinflated egos, and pride as fashionable traits. That attitude has come back to bite us.
We also encourage violent and confrontational behavior through our media choices. Movies and television shows that glorify violence are often among the highest rated.
The media is easy to understand. They do what we want them to do—based on ratings. Programs without high ratings are taken off the air. Networks make money by selling advertising. Smaller audiences mean fewer advertisers. Neither entity truly cares what is shown, as long as people watch it. Once again, it is time to look in the mirror.
What is worse is considering what our next generation will be like. Our children mimic our principles, morals, ethics—or lack thereof. “Do as I say, not as I do” does not work. Children will do as they see us do, regardless of what we preach. If we are manipulative, ethically disposable, and morally flexible depending on politics, we should not be surprised when our children become the same.
Earlier, I mentioned “glorified confrontation.” Years ago, in sports, taunting or embarrassing an opponent could result in penalties or removal from play. Today, trash-talking and showmanship are often celebrated. The “in-your-face” method of achieving goals is now fashionable—and we made it that way.
Some faiths strive to counteract this trend. It is a noble effort, but the climb is steep. We all carry vestiges of ingrained behavior that society continues to reinforce.
So what can we do to reverse this alarming trend? First, leave egos and fears at the door. Create environments where disrespect, envy, jealousy, and fear are not part of who we are. This is easier said than done, but it is essential if humanity is to survive another century.
To conquer fear—real or imagined—we must communicate and extend ourselves to those we fear the most, even if only by perception. This is the step each of us must be willing to take to heal, to respect one another, and to break the vicious cycle we find ourselves in.
Why is this so hard to understand? Along with myself, I wish the human race luck in achieving this goal. If we do not, we may eventually cease to be the dominant species on planet Earth.
It is all in our hands.