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There are a lot of reasons that I don't discuss politics online but it's mostly because almost no one ever discusses politics online. You see, the only point of any online political commentary to belittle and deride the person who is making the political commentary.
The tactics for political discussion are simple: Don't focus on the statements being made, the ideas being posited or the theories that are presented. Instead focus on the person making the statement and create the illusion that they are completely dismissible -- that they are so mentally, emotionally, educationally or even physically unsound that anything they say or do is to be ignored, humored or pitied.
It all smacks of the bullying tactics that I have lived with most of my life:
What's worse, is that online, all this is considered riotously clever and funny. Just as the school-yard bully would garner laughs when they would sing "fatty-fatty-two-by-four" or trip someone with glasses calling them "four-eyes" the internet is full of examples of people who enjoy watching a bully at work. And it's even justified by the same sediments that a run-of-the-mill-bully would use: Well, if they can't take it they shouldn't be part of [politics/choir/football team/this school]."
In the end, I suppose, it's too threatening to acknowledge that there may be someone out there who is your equal and yet can hold an opinion that is opposite of yours. It takes courage to respect someone who holds an oposite view. It threatens the black and white view that most hold on politics -- the "there is only one right view and anyone who thinks differently must be ignorant or evil" line of thought that most hold.
This isn't done just by individuals, either. It's institutionalized. It's like the teachers and the principals are the ones leading the bullying charge. Just read the articles about politics and see how often the writers spend most of the space painting the speaker as so insignificant that they can dismiss what that speaker said without ever addressing the points brought up.
In Wisconsin I've been living with this crap for more than a year and I don't see it changing after the election. The world is full of poor losers who all own poison pens and see bullying as a valid tactic to get ahead.
The tactics for political discussion are simple: Don't focus on the statements being made, the ideas being posited or the theories that are presented. Instead focus on the person making the statement and create the illusion that they are completely dismissible -- that they are so mentally, emotionally, educationally or even physically unsound that anything they say or do is to be ignored, humored or pitied.
It all smacks of the bullying tactics that I have lived with most of my life:
- "You can't listen to her -- she's just a girl."
- "She's from {insert place of choice}. What could she know?"
- "She's just being overly emotional, women are that way after all."
- "She's just saying that because she's {insert any religious or non-religious belief here}."
- "You can't trust anyone who would wear that outfit."
- "Oh, come on! She's obviously too {old/young/uneducated/blonde/busty} to have any good thoughts."
What's worse, is that online, all this is considered riotously clever and funny. Just as the school-yard bully would garner laughs when they would sing "fatty-fatty-two-by-four" or trip someone with glasses calling them "four-eyes" the internet is full of examples of people who enjoy watching a bully at work. And it's even justified by the same sediments that a run-of-the-mill-bully would use: Well, if they can't take it they shouldn't be part of [politics/choir/football team/this school]."
In the end, I suppose, it's too threatening to acknowledge that there may be someone out there who is your equal and yet can hold an opinion that is opposite of yours. It takes courage to respect someone who holds an oposite view. It threatens the black and white view that most hold on politics -- the "there is only one right view and anyone who thinks differently must be ignorant or evil" line of thought that most hold.
This isn't done just by individuals, either. It's institutionalized. It's like the teachers and the principals are the ones leading the bullying charge. Just read the articles about politics and see how often the writers spend most of the space painting the speaker as so insignificant that they can dismiss what that speaker said without ever addressing the points brought up.
In Wisconsin I've been living with this crap for more than a year and I don't see it changing after the election. The world is full of poor losers who all own poison pens and see bullying as a valid tactic to get ahead.
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no subject
Date: 2012-09-04 06:23 pm (UTC)From:In the end, I suppose, it's too threatening to acknowledge that there may be someone out there who is your equal and yet can hold an opinion that is opposite of yours. It takes courage to respect someone who holds an oposite view. It threatens the black and white view that most hold on politics -- the "there is only one right view and anyone who thinks differently must be ignorant or evil" line of thought that most hold.
I couldn't agree more.
BTW, my brother is a teacher...in Wisconsin. :) He was fairly apolitical until these last two years. The first time we talked about the issues there, he was incredulous that I had different opinions. He laughed at me repeatedly, called me names, and told me I was ridiculous. :( All the while he spoke in generalizations about how "they" are just trying to stick it to teachers and "they" don't care about kids or education and "they" just want to hoard money for themselves. I made him stop and go point by point and explain what he meant in concrete terms with actual examples. It really helped me understand his position better, but he did not like having to speak in such detail...he prefers yelling slogans and "talking points" at me.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-05 11:28 am (UTC)From:Yeah, I've had to deal with an election already - the replacement for Gabby.