Consider these quotes from Jon Haidt taking about how social media has changed political discourse.PAL wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 4:31 pm What I don't like is that you want to control. You post a little pyramid as to how I and others are supposed to discuss or even argue . You jump on me for using the word, "blowhard". Boebart is indeed blustery in my mind.
Can you give us a list of words we should not use?
You do like to lecture.
I know, you are just trying to make us better people.
"When you’re talking with people and arguing and disagreeing with them, that’s fine, that’s great. That’s what politics is supposed to be. But when what you’re saying is aimed at discrediting their sincerity and decency, not rebutting their arguments, but saying “yeah, you’re just saying that because you’re bribed by the Koch brothers.” Or you know, “you’re a fascist, you’re a racist.” Those aren’t real arguments. Those are attempts to discredit the other. So, that’s the more adversarial, confrontational, zero sum, or you might even say negative sum – the more I can hurt you, the better I am. And that’s what our politics has descended more into than it used to be."
"We all really care about our reputations and we suddenly have this technology that allows us to slander anyone else instantly to draw a mob. So, what’s happened is people are really, really afraid. I see this on college campuses. People are so afraid to stand up, stand out, say anything, unless it’s with the mob. If the mob is on their side, then they are so vocal and self-righteous.
But what I’m finding is that even moderates or centrists – people who are not political – are afraid to speak up and challenge the left because they’ll get crucified."