Civil Discourse: Part 1

It was hard to keep this post consistent and on point. It could have easily careened itself into a blogging ditch to leave readers in a depressed funk.

Ok. Maybe not a funk.

I decided to make this a two-parter because it covers several aspects. Let's get right into it. The best way to tag this is a discussion on sense of appropriate behavior, loss of community and pop culture.

I came across a discussion posted way back in 2006 titled the 'Death of civility.'

Let me post some parts of it here (to know who wrote them just follow the link above):

--"...The sense of what is appropriate behavior – the sense that there is such a thing as appropriate behavior – is diminishing across our culture. Considering what other people will think has been replaced by a reflexive recitation of one’s rights to do as one pleases.

This idea that somehow rudeness or unkindness is intrinsic to an honest discussion is completely wrong..."

--"...My hope is that--especially online--people spend a little more time debating issues and a little less time falling into personal attacks, and especially when it's in the name of "frank truthfulness."

Daily life, from the perspective of those we interviewed, appears to be littered with unacceptable behavior, which has grown worse over time and shows no sign of abating on its own. The concept of a "tipping point"—that moment in an epidemic when it reaches a critical mass—probably is an apt description of what we've come to in terms of our incivility and disrespect for one another. We would probably all agree that it will take significant individual and collective resolve to challenge this epidemic of rudeness."

The rudeness of the proletariat is a failure of the arbiters of taste and the people they might influence: social and business leaders..."

--"Call it the Age of Rude - a cultural moment defined by rude and crude behavior and shaped by a blurring of the personal and public. We're living in it, and what's more, many of us - young and old - are enjoying every minute of it.

What's not to love? Contemporary pop culture is full of celebrities and celebutantes who have made it big on bad behavior....

Why not go right to the source: Paris Hilton, who has become the poster child for acting out. Hilton's very status as a celebrity is deeply rooted in the public's perverse fascination with her tacky, party-girl behavior..." Yes, each time I see her it boggles this fragile mind how she achieved fame based on nothing.

A scene in 'The Wild One' starring Marlon Brando and Mary Murphy somehow fits into this. It was the one where a couple of black rebels (the gang that invaded the town led by Brando) were jive talkin' and introducing an old man (the one who worked in the town cafe) into this new vernacular (sort of like what we witnessed with rappers in the 1980s and 1990s.) The old man had talked about how communications between people had diminished and that all people did was grunt and mumble to one another. The film was made in 1953.

It made me think about how we are today. We say (more like lament) about the very same things. John Mellencamp thought this idea of loss communities to be important enough for him to talk about it when he played here in Montreal. Yet, he's a child of the 1950s and 1960s. So felt things weren't so bad back then like the old man thought. I suppose both of them would agree on what they see today. Everything is relative.

The era before us always seems better. For me, I pictures the 50s as being a time when American "values" were at their highest form of expression. Where limited government, entrepreneurial and community spirit still believed in the individual to make a difference. Yet, when one ponders it, the 1950s were actually a period of great upheaval - or at least a calming before the storm. Recall that bebop jazz and rock'n roll took root in the hearts of American teens. Two forms of music hinged on freedom of expression and rebellion and laid the seeds for the counter revolution a decade later. It was as if baby boomers decided the life of their parents, though noble and stable, wasn't good enough. It was as if challenging authority for its own sake was enough - and for narcissists this was a perfect mix.

This discussion on social civility also reminds me of, what else?, The Simpsons. A show that often installs mob rules (like the one in 'The Wild One' when townsmen go after Brando) in its plots. The show has been a keen observer of social trends that grip contemporary society. One was when Bart was in touch with his "inner-self" which led Springfield to its first "Do what you feel" festival. Led by the philosophy "if it feels good, do it" espoused by a shyster named "Brad," the town goes nuts seeking immediate and hedonistic self-gratification.

Brad: People, I am excited. I can sense a change in the air tonight. You are all going to start living, really living.
Audience: Yay! [chanting] Living! Living!
Brad: Be like the boy!
Audience: Be like boy! Be like boy!
Brad: Just the ladies.
Ladies: Be like boy! Be like boy!
Brad: Now, the seniors in the back.
Seniors: We like Roy! We like Roy!

It makes a great commentary on how a) group think spreads like wildfire and b) seeking personal can easily cross over into disrespecting those around you. In other words, there are boundaries to social ethics whether we like it or not and we can't just do as we please.

Which leads into the comment about people who are blunt believe they're being honest. I don't believe bluntness is a method to be copied. It's tactless. There's a way to get your point across without hurting another person verbally. There's a way to disagree with someone without having to resort to nasty name-calling. But this takes moral and intellectual discipline. Whenever I see someone attack another on the internet it reveals more about the person than the message they're trying to convey - even if the message is right. People don't like to face condescending or rude people. End of story.

Of course, this ties into personal responsibility and accountability - of which there seems to be so little of these days.

We've passed off that obligation to government and the courts. Not that I'm leaving community leaders and parents off the hook, there'll always be such convenient outlets for weak minded individuals of low moral fiber.

Oh.

If you don't like this post...

Heh.