The Death of Civil Discourse

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:26:47 -0400

Since leaving the military nearly a decade ago I have dedicated myself to pursuing an education and increasing my knowledge and intelligence. I am starting to regret that decision. With the advent of social media, the continued polarization of politics, and what I feel is a severe decline in objectivity I feel like my ability to communicate with my fellow human beings in a civil and reasonable manner is severely hampered. It feels like a self-imposed alienation sometimes.

A case in point is this site. Though I am a huge fan of most of what happens here I get discouraged often. I try to create discussions that require critical thought and serious discussion but they often fail to gain traction. When they do get traction and I start to get responses they are often quickly driven down the list by many of the mindless and/or politically-charged posts that permeate the board. Even worse, I had a decent discussion going about mandatory voting in the US after I read an article that Obama had floated the idea. I intentionally left politics out of it so as to get objective answers. However, though my post had come first, I received this message "RallyPoint has merged your discussion, "Mandatory Voting in the US?", with "Obama suggests "FORCED VOTING" for Americans... how does THAT grab you?", and your original post has been closed." So my post was removed because someone posted the same thing but with a loaded title that infuriated people against the president and was filled with vitriol and disgust as opposed to the decent and objective content that filled my post. I understand that there is a desire and need to keep content together as much as possible but my civil discussion was trumped by a charged one, why? Because it had more responses? Obviously I am upset about this portion but there are other issues in this that I would like to touch on.

I read an interesting article in the Havok Journal the other day about veterans lashing out at each other and others when their opinions do not align. Apparently we are some of the worst offenders, even against our own. I'll post the link in the comments so as not to distract from the intent of this post. At any rate I find it very interesting that we as a nation find it so difficult to communicate and discuss civilly and objectively.

Rant over.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 19 at 2015 7:26 PM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:26:59 -0400

http://www.havokjournal.com/culture/22tozero-veterans-are-making-it-worse/

#22toZero: Veterans Are Making it Worse

Veterans kill themselves at the rate of 22 every day, and what does the veteran community do about it? Encourage more of it.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 19 at 2015 7:30 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:30:32 -0400

CPT Laurie H., this might be a case for de-merging?

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 19 at 2015 7:40 PM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:40:08 -0400

More good and on topic writing from the Havok Journal
http://www.havokjournal.com/nation/the-dumbing-down-of-america/

The Dumbing-Down of America

Acting like Sheeple always leads you to the same place --- The Slaughter.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 19 at 2015 7:42 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:42:14 -0400

It has been my pleasure to once again realize, like you, that it makes no difference what you say or what your intent is, there are those out there who want to make issue with it, more for their personal need or desire for argument or to perhaps in some way feed a need to feel some sort of personal satisfaction rather than engage in a meaningful discussion, even if in the end they still disagree, which is their right. If you can't be constructive, please don't be destructive!!!!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 19 at 2015 7:54 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 19:54:58 -0400

"Apparently we are some of the worst offenders, even against our own."

Not to make excuses, but.. there is a certain amount of willpower it takes to do what we do... and sometimes that presents as "pigheadedness" or more aptly as "two rams going at it."

SGT James Elphick does a great job at presenting interesting topics. But the ones that will create traction, are going to be the ones with polarizing views. And if they have even the hint of religion or politics in them... things tend to devolve from there, even if approached from an apolitical stance.

Unfortunately, what happens is that most people can't separate emotion from logic when it comes to debate. We see what we want to, vice what is really there. I'm as guilty as anyone about this. It takes a lot of practice to break the habit.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 8:27 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 20:27:28 -0400

I think your experiences are indicative of how our debates and narratives have changed in the last two decades. It seems as though we used to be able to find common ground between points of view. Now we tear each other apart instead. How the word "hate" is now employed is a good example. Adolf Hitler was a hateful man. The KKK is a hate group. Disagreeing with a social policy does not mean you're hateful, yet that is often the charge levied. Another example is how the different "ism" and "ist" labels are used as tactics to end a debate. During a particularly emotionally charged self-defense case in Florida, I once made the point that we are still a country of laws. Because of this, we must accept what our perception of right is takes a secondary role to what our laws dictate. You would not believe the terrible things that were said about my character after that.

As others have said, I think the relative anonymity of the internet has facilitated this change. The ability to not be held accountable seems to have diminished our ability to be objective and civil while disagreeing within a discussion.