Some things are just not worth getting in a fight over. Especially on the internet. So often, people hide behind their avatars and their monitors and type out offenses they would never say to someone else in person. And for what? A picture? A different political belief? The mere fact that someone likes a television character that they don't? I mean seriously, start a whole argument over a fictional character.
But then we get drawn in. One of the flamers lines with our belief and as others get behind the other person, we race to get behind the person who shares our own beliefs. And soon the happy utopia of a forum, a Facebook account, or a YouTube video becomes the battleground in which people waste hours and hours - and for what? In the end no one changes their minds, and everyone walks away more polarized than when they started.
Though now looking in our country's politics, it seems that we have both a polarization and what seems like a breakdown in decorum. The forum of politics at times seems almost like a telvision show forum. From opposite sides people find it easier to throw bombs at each other rather than find common ground. The flamers know that like on the internet forums, it'll be easier to gain support by throwing bricks at the house, instead of trying to build a new house together. At all levels - from the grassroots to the politicians in office. And this polarization is probably what leads to the disillusionment and apathy in the American people with politics.
Look at our Constitution (Happy Independence Day while I'm at it) - 4 pages long. No legislation as widesweeping and powerful as that will ever come out of our Congress with that brevity. And it was written in secret. In our time of so called government transparency, it could serve to be our downfall. I'm probably too extreme. And transparency is good too. I guess I'm just saying that it may be that always being in front of the cameras probably causes politicians to speak like a campaign - saying something that will get them publicity or votes; throwing bricks instead of building them.
So what's my point? I really don't know. Just some thoughts. But it goes back to the internet. I think some people just get offended too easily. And often times (myself included), we jump to defend ourselves or others, thus provoking the other side and going back and forth. Sometimes it's better just to take a few deep breaths and think about it before hitting that comment or post button. After all, some things are just not worth getting in a fight over.
But then we get drawn in. One of the flamers lines with our belief and as others get behind the other person, we race to get behind the person who shares our own beliefs. And soon the happy utopia of a forum, a Facebook account, or a YouTube video becomes the battleground in which people waste hours and hours - and for what? In the end no one changes their minds, and everyone walks away more polarized than when they started.
Though now looking in our country's politics, it seems that we have both a polarization and what seems like a breakdown in decorum. The forum of politics at times seems almost like a telvision show forum. From opposite sides people find it easier to throw bombs at each other rather than find common ground. The flamers know that like on the internet forums, it'll be easier to gain support by throwing bricks at the house, instead of trying to build a new house together. At all levels - from the grassroots to the politicians in office. And this polarization is probably what leads to the disillusionment and apathy in the American people with politics.
Look at our Constitution (Happy Independence Day while I'm at it) - 4 pages long. No legislation as widesweeping and powerful as that will ever come out of our Congress with that brevity. And it was written in secret. In our time of so called government transparency, it could serve to be our downfall. I'm probably too extreme. And transparency is good too. I guess I'm just saying that it may be that always being in front of the cameras probably causes politicians to speak like a campaign - saying something that will get them publicity or votes; throwing bricks instead of building them.
So what's my point? I really don't know. Just some thoughts. But it goes back to the internet. I think some people just get offended too easily. And often times (myself included), we jump to defend ourselves or others, thus provoking the other side and going back and forth. Sometimes it's better just to take a few deep breaths and think about it before hitting that comment or post button. After all, some things are just not worth getting in a fight over.
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