Americans are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything

Mac1958

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Dec 8, 2011
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Opposing Authoritarian Ideological Fundamentalism.
Writer Tom Nichols' efforts here will almost certainly be wasted, but it sure would be nice if this piece got around a bit:

Americans are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything

From the piece, my bold:

This isn't just human nature, but the result of a narcissism that took root in American society after the 1960s and has been growing ever since. Surrounded by affluence, enabled by the internet, and empowered by an educational system that prizes self-esteem over achievement, Americans have become more opinionated even as they have become less informed, and are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything.

Our republic thrives on open debate and the fair consideration of evidence. When our ability to maintain those democratic habits collapses, our system of government, along with our well-being as a people and a nation, will be in danger. There are a few steps we can take, including treating cable and the internet as we would treat our diet: by exercising portion control, healthy choices, and a varied mixture. We should especially make an effort to consider other sources that challenge us.


More important, we need to start listening to each other with a greater assumption of good will. Cable news has become a gladiatorial exercise, but that doesn’t mean each of us must approach conversation as a fight to the finish.

We must come out from behind our keyboards and smartphones and televisions and engage each other as citizens, rather than opponents. In an age of binary, win-at-all-costs politics, this is a tall order. But citizens need to be better examples to our political and media leaders than they’ve been to us.

There is still time to reconsider the path we’ve set upon in the past few decades, but one thing should be clear: We cannot continue this way much longer and survive as a vibrant democracy.

.
 
The problem is that both sides dig-in and defend their version of fake-news. The version that supports their world view. How do you fix that?
 
Writer Tom Nichols' efforts here will almost certainly be wasted, but it sure would be nice if this piece got around a bit:

Americans are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything

From the piece, my bold:

This isn't just human nature, but the result of a narcissism that took root in American society after the 1960s and has been growing ever since. Surrounded by affluence, enabled by the internet, and empowered by an educational system that prizes self-esteem over achievement, Americans have become more opinionated even as they have become less informed, and are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything.

Our republic thrives on open debate and the fair consideration of evidence. When our ability to maintain those democratic habits collapses, our system of government, along with our well-being as a people and a nation, will be in danger. There are a few steps we can take, including treating cable and the internet as we would treat our diet: by exercising portion control, healthy choices, and a varied mixture. We should especially make an effort to consider other sources that challenge us.


More important, we need to start listening to each other with a greater assumption of good will. Cable news has become a gladiatorial exercise, but that doesn’t mean each of us must approach conversation as a fight to the finish.

We must come out from behind our keyboards and smartphones and televisions and engage each other as citizens, rather than opponents. In an age of binary, win-at-all-costs politics, this is a tall order. But citizens need to be better examples to our political and media leaders than they’ve been to us.

There is still time to reconsider the path we’ve set upon in the past few decades, but one thing should be clear: We cannot continue this way much longer and survive as a vibrant democracy.

.

The same sort of thing has also happened in the UK.

When the value of the pound went down, this was a sign that they were right about something and had to leave the EU. When a dwarf took a shit, this was a sign that the EU is bad and they were right about leaving the EU. It's ridiculous.
 
The problem is that both sides dig-in and defend their version of fake-news. The version that supports their world view. How do you fix that?
The first thing that you have to do is weaken (destroy) the corporate dominance of government and society as a whole.
 
The problem is that both sides dig-in and defend their version of fake-news. The version that supports their world view. How do you fix that?
The first thing that you have to do is weaken (destroy) the corporate dominance of government and society as a whole.
Never happen. The billionaires fund their political puppets, and they call the tunes. The proletariat can pound sand and whine for their bigger buckets of rice. Until there is a major war, then its rally round the flag boys...
 
The problem is that both sides dig-in and defend their version of fake-news. The version that supports their world view. How do you fix that?
The first thing that you have to do is weaken (destroy) the corporate dominance of government and society as a whole.
Never happen. The billionaires fund their political puppets, and they call the tunes. The proletariat can pound sand and whine for their bigger buckets of rice. Until there is a major war, then its rally round the flag boys...
It may be that it has to happen on a micro level instead of a macro level. The most powerful in our society aren't going to just roll over when they have so much to protect.

Maybe if there were a way to play to their agenda, to incentivize them to promote more communication. That's not impossible.
.
 
Never happen. The Leftists are programmed in college, and the Conservatives are traditionalists. There is no common ground, except to elect independent politicians who are idealists. This is rare since the big money always finds their puppets who need tons of money to compete. You're hoping to find idealistic billionaires, good luck with that.
 
Never happen. The billionaires fund their political puppets, and they call the tunes. The proletariat can pound sand and whine for their bigger buckets of rice. Until there is a major war, then its rally round the flag boys...

It may be that it has to happen on a micro level instead of a macro level. The most powerful in our society aren't going to just roll over when they have so much to protect.

Maybe if there were a way to play to their agenda, to incentivize them to promote more communication. That's not impossible.

If there is no will there is no way.

It's our government, I say take to the streets and get it back.

The alternative is to sit here and dream about ways to get it back without offending those that stole it from you.

The corporations control everything, including the narratives that lead you to your opinions.
 
The problem is that both sides dig-in and defend their version of fake-news. The version that supports their world view. How do you fix that?

How do you fix that? Use duct tape and/or baling wire. Anything and everything can be fixed with duct tape and/or baling wire.
 
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Never happen. The Leftists are programmed in college, and the Conservatives are traditionalists. There is no common ground, except to elect independent politicians who are idealists. This is rare since the big money always finds their puppets who need tons of money to compete. You're hoping to find idealistic billionaires, good luck with that.
Do you agree with the last part of the quoted area: "We cannot continue this way much longer and survive as a vibrant democracy"?
.
 
The O.P. speaks to a deeply disturbing problem in American social discourse. Anything said to anyone that does not conform to his/her preconception about a topic is instantly categorized as 'enemy'. Furthermore, the style of language immediately imposed is vitriol and bitterness.
 
The O.P. speaks to a deeply disturbing problem in American social discourse. Anything said to anyone that does not conform to his/her preconception about a topic is instantly categorized as 'enemy'. Furthermore, the style of language immediately imposed is vitriol and bitterness.

You are assuming facts not in evidence. Rants are a visible sign of low intelligence. : )
 
Writer Tom Nichols' efforts here will almost certainly be wasted, but it sure would be nice if this piece got around a bit:

Americans are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything

From the piece, my bold:

This isn't just human nature, but the result of a narcissism that took root in American society after the 1960s and has been growing ever since. Surrounded by affluence, enabled by the internet, and empowered by an educational system that prizes self-esteem over achievement, Americans have become more opinionated even as they have become less informed, and are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything.

Our republic thrives on open debate and the fair consideration of evidence. When our ability to maintain those democratic habits collapses, our system of government, along with our well-being as a people and a nation, will be in danger. There are a few steps we can take, including treating cable and the internet as we would treat our diet: by exercising portion control, healthy choices, and a varied mixture. We should especially make an effort to consider other sources that challenge us.


More important, we need to start listening to each other with a greater assumption of good will. Cable news has become a gladiatorial exercise, but that doesn’t mean each of us must approach conversation as a fight to the finish.

We must come out from behind our keyboards and smartphones and televisions and engage each other as citizens, rather than opponents. In an age of binary, win-at-all-costs politics, this is a tall order. But citizens need to be better examples to our political and media leaders than they’ve been to us.

There is still time to reconsider the path we’ve set upon in the past few decades, but one thing should be clear: We cannot continue this way much longer and survive as a vibrant democracy.

.
Do you realize the shear irony of your opening sentence? You set up the FACT that his guy is right and any disagreement is just damn foolishness. Pretty damn funny.
 
Writer Tom Nichols' efforts here will almost certainly be wasted, but it sure would be nice if this piece got around a bit:

Americans are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything

From the piece, my bold:

This isn't just human nature, but the result of a narcissism that took root in American society after the 1960s and has been growing ever since. Surrounded by affluence, enabled by the internet, and empowered by an educational system that prizes self-esteem over achievement, Americans have become more opinionated even as they have become less informed, and are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything.

Our republic thrives on open debate and the fair consideration of evidence. When our ability to maintain those democratic habits collapses, our system of government, along with our well-being as a people and a nation, will be in danger. There are a few steps we can take, including treating cable and the internet as we would treat our diet: by exercising portion control, healthy choices, and a varied mixture. We should especially make an effort to consider other sources that challenge us.


More important, we need to start listening to each other with a greater assumption of good will. Cable news has become a gladiatorial exercise, but that doesn’t mean each of us must approach conversation as a fight to the finish.

We must come out from behind our keyboards and smartphones and televisions and engage each other as citizens, rather than opponents. In an age of binary, win-at-all-costs politics, this is a tall order. But citizens need to be better examples to our political and media leaders than they’ve been to us.

There is still time to reconsider the path we’ve set upon in the past few decades, but one thing should be clear: We cannot continue this way much longer and survive as a vibrant democracy.

.
Do you realize the shear irony of your opening sentence? You set up the FACT that his guy is right and any disagreement is just damn foolishness. Pretty damn funny.
Just pointing out the obvious.
.
 
Writer Tom Nichols' efforts here will almost certainly be wasted, but it sure would be nice if this piece got around a bit:

Americans are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything

From the piece, my bold:

This isn't just human nature, but the result of a narcissism that took root in American society after the 1960s and has been growing ever since. Surrounded by affluence, enabled by the internet, and empowered by an educational system that prizes self-esteem over achievement, Americans have become more opinionated even as they have become less informed, and are now utterly intolerant of ever being told they’re wrong about almost anything.

Our republic thrives on open debate and the fair consideration of evidence. When our ability to maintain those democratic habits collapses, our system of government, along with our well-being as a people and a nation, will be in danger. There are a few steps we can take, including treating cable and the internet as we would treat our diet: by exercising portion control, healthy choices, and a varied mixture. We should especially make an effort to consider other sources that challenge us.


More important, we need to start listening to each other with a greater assumption of good will. Cable news has become a gladiatorial exercise, but that doesn’t mean each of us must approach conversation as a fight to the finish.

We must come out from behind our keyboards and smartphones and televisions and engage each other as citizens, rather than opponents. In an age of binary, win-at-all-costs politics, this is a tall order. But citizens need to be better examples to our political and media leaders than they’ve been to us.

There is still time to reconsider the path we’ve set upon in the past few decades, but one thing should be clear: We cannot continue this way much longer and survive as a vibrant democracy.

.
Do you realize the shear irony of your opening sentence? You set up the FACT that his guy is right and any disagreement is just damn foolishness. Pretty damn funny.
huh?
 
shear irony.png
 

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