Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The End of Civility

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What is civility?  Is there a common definition anymore?  As we grow into this instant global information net must we rethink what or how we understand civilized conduct?  Unfortunately I think the only answer we can offer is yes, we must.

Surfing around the multiple media sites seems to me to be akin to a carnival mid-way with barkers yelling out to gain your attention, and just as in the mid-way they must be rewarded with sufficient audience to continue.  This has moved to our television as well.  Comedy, dramas, melodramas, and variety shows have lost their appeal, it is all about pseudo-reality. 

On social media condemnation of, and attacks on, individuals are now the standard.  Find a poster that expresses your anger, copy and post!  You have now made your contribution to the social debate. Pain free, thought free. But then how many hours do people we pay to see, devote themselves to the fawning of celebrity and the destruction of it?

I was reminded today of a quote variously attributed to Ms. Eleanor Roosevelt, Admiral Hyman Rickover, or unknown that says, “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people.”  If the public and commercial media are any indication we have become a people of small minds led by politicians of like quality.  I guess that is what we deserve.

I wonder, do I set this next round out?

1 comment:

Jeannette said...

Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly and keep writing. thanks John, for being a sane and kind voice willing to do the work of thinking about the actual nature of things going on...

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