The Death of Discussion

Nicholas Warren
Undergraduate/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

If you don't have a TV and you don't pay attention to current events, this may be new information to you. However, I assume most of you are aware of the current state of public dialogue or lack thereof. Apparently, our political class and the media forgot how to be polite and intellectual humans. There are some people/ groups that are worse than others, but the sad fact is that almost every public figure these days cannot have a conversation with someone of differing views without resorting to arguing and name calling. What example is this showing our general population? Or much less, the children? The only thing this bickering does is show people that it is ok to block any new information or view point and that you must impose your values on others for anything to get done. This is not how the world works.

Everything in life is a compromise. Even the formation of the United States Government was a compromise. The power sharing mechanism of the states was such an important compromise that it was called "The Great Compromise." How do our politicians think that they can run our country if they do not find common ground with their peers? Why are we forced to "hold the national debt hostage" or flee the state just to get each other's attention? In a decent society, our government would be able to sit down and work together for the betterment of our nation. Instead, these politicians go to the American public and divide us with terms like "taxpayers and public workers" or "socialists and tea baggers" to get support. It's all about fear. Each side is trying to make it look like the other side wants to take everything away from you. This is no way to make a country prosper; this is how a country is destroyed.

Another aspect contributing to our lack of civil discussion is a lack of deep personal or public relationships. How well do you actually know your friends? As much as Facebook tells you? Do your friends ever share new information about themselves that surprises you? Knowing what drives people and knowing where they come from are key factors in having a civil discussion. When you really know a person, you understand the information that is not being spoken and you know what their goal for the conversation is. Also, people that know you are more likely to be open to talking about how an issue affects them personally. Once you know a person you will be more likely to work with them on a common goal, instead of bicker about how that goal should be met.

Humans are capable of civil discussion; I've seen it with my own eyes. All it takes is an understanding that it is OK to disagree. In fact, it is beneficial that not everybody thinks alike. Having new and interesting ideas is what keeps us afloat as a species. A mix of ideas almost always produces a superior product. Compromise is often the best way to get that mix of ideas.

I often see people saying (mostly on the internet,) "Well if you care so much about the issue, why don't you go and do something about it instead of complaining." My response is that first of all there is a difference between complaining and highlighting an issue. And secondly, I am doing something about this issue and many issues I have written about in this publication. I am starting a new student organization called the American Civic Engagement student org to tackle issues of civil discussion and many other things. I hope to work with many other student orgs in order to bring about the most effective change in our community, because, like every other movement, it all starts at the community level.