One of the things that shocked me most when I returned to the U.S. from Argentina was the lack of civil discourse, especially where politics are concerned. Admittedly, politics has long been an area in which people resorted to name calling, accusations and angry rhetoric. However, I didn’t remember things quite that bad back in the 1980s. (Before I stepped into my 15-year time capsule)
I blame the talking heads, the Rush Limbaughs and Alan Colmes, the Air Americas and the Premiere Radio Networks. Much of the change took place when the FCC Fairness Act was repealed in 1987; now stations no longer have to give equal time to opposing views. In addition, the rise of cable channels like CNN played a large part. As these networks sought to fill long hours of programming, they discovered that people liked to watch arguments more than they liked discussions. If these channels could find two extremists willing to insult one another on television, millions would tune in.
Over time, a new genre was born. Gone were the days of respect and civility. Now opponents must be vilified and berated. Those who disagree are ignorant or dishonest. Opposing viewpoints are dangerous and unpatriotic.
As I said, this sort of rhetoric isn’t new to the political world. I remember studying such tactics in a course on ancient rhetoric, seeing how the Greeks insulted one another within their senate. But as our entire society becomes politicized, the rhetoric of politics has become the lingua franca of today. From discussion about sports to discussion about religion, the devil’s tongue is heard throughout the land.
I hate to see Christians resort to hate speech. I despise it when they pass around half-truths and outright lies, justifying it in the name of promoting their agenda. Maybe that’s why I’m especially tired of hearing Christians talk about politics, because they do it with the jargon of the world, not the language of heaven.
And I blame the talking heads.
What?? You dare to blame Rush? Alan Combs I can understand, but Rush? Rush is always right and Alan is always wrong. What’s difficult to understand about that? (Sarcasm intended). Having been in the middle of it all, it was a slow cancer that went, for the most part, unnoticed. Being involved in conflict resolution, the mentality in our nation (world?) makes it far more difficult to have the necessary discussions … we have to spend a LOT of time laying down the ground rules and then reinforcing them.
Good thoughts, Tim. I’m not ready to lay all the blame on the talking heads, as some of them have been very informative for me (both sides), but good thoughts.
Ultimately, though, we decide whether or not we let the talking head’s influence our attitudes, our speech, and our outlooks. I think it Ann Coulter voicing one death-wish too many that finally began shaking me out of my infatuation with the talking heads.
I’ve really been meaning to do an “Influence of the Media” type lesson where I start with the typical sex & violence stuff and lead into the negative impact of those who speak so irresponsibly on our TVs, radios, and print media.
BTW, you’ve nailed me a time or two on some inaccurate information that was highly politically charged and I either changed my blog or deleted altogether. Thanks for the accountability lessons!
From within my capsule (with short visits back, like this past summer), I have also seen and worried about the lack of ability to discuss. But I don’t know that I would blame the talking heads. Just as people have been blaming the banks for a crisis that ultimately is due to our own greed and selfishness, or blaming media for pushing sex while we are the ones buying the media (as you pointed out with the tv shows mentioned), I think we have a responsibility for our actions.
If we listen to the talkers (and I do) then we need to be careful in our speech, that their untruths or extremisms don’t pepper our speech. Instead, we should be salting our speech with the gospel and good news that truly fits all occassions. There will alwasy be people willing to profit from people who are not willing to control themselves. Christians, of all people, should be people who understand self-control, in submission to Jesus Christ.
Thanks for your thoughts on so many things. I really enjoy how you stretch my thinking.
Tims Article:
I blame the talking heads?
Clayton’s response:
The same for churches Tim.
It is our preachers that stand in our pulpits and spew their hatred for “those other Christians” Same for the Government. Take the money away from the “Talking Heads” both Politicians and Preachers and then there may be peace in our Government and in our Churches. Pay them to condemn one another and that’s what they both do and that’s what we all get. Expect them to promote Unity and we may get Unity.
Gentlemen, that’s a good reminder that in the end the blame can’t be placed wholly on the media. They are merely providing what the public is looking for. To some degree, however, the media bear responsibility, much like the Roman government and the arena games. They provided these games because the public enjoyed them, yet if the games hadn’t existed, I don’t know that the public would have demanded them.
Be that as it may, it’s a fact that civil discourse is a dying art in today’s society.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer