I'm Speaking
A divided society with divided beliefs and opinions. Society has become a debate of right and wrong. A never-ending argument where neither side admits their faults or wishes to hear out a differing view. Arguments are a battle rather than a conversation where a better understanding can be achieved. Instead of discussing a topic, where our view can be strengthened and/or altered, we speak without listening to the other side. Dismissing an idea without hearing its reasoning. Debate is most easily understood in the context of a democracy: presidential debates where it’s down to the two big candidates.
“Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s Fiery First debate” by CNBC Television
Speaking over each other in an attempt to “win” rather than convince an audience or strengthen their support. Each party believes in their truth, positioning themselves against other points of view that refute what they have rooted themselves in. Depicting the division: red versus blue. Republican beliefs versus Democratic beliefs, each side has their own reasoning for their stances, and yet cooperation is rare. In divided governments nothing meaningful gets done. In divided arguments, productivity is nonexistent.
In everyday life, someone thinking the same way you do is rare since no person is the same. Individuality is shown between our differences, allowing each person to develop their own identity. These identities clash against others, but this does not mean that one person is more “true” than the other in respects to their beliefs. An “agree to disagree” mentality comes with conversations between highly differing people. Debates come with conversations about topics that people have strong opinions on. Civil conversations can be maintained while each side listens to the other.
Though it is difficult to remain civil when you passionately disagree with another person, it strengthens credibility and an ability to have conversations. Learning from others, possibly in the context of understanding where the other person is coming from through their reasoning, allows for better discourse. Division upon opinions prevents society from getting things done in a progressive manner. Listening to the other side, having intelligent reasoning, and looking for an actual resolution creates good arguments. The issue with arguments today is that these factors have been forgotten as we believe ourselves to be right due to living in an echochamber. We style our timelines based on our views and interests, we watch news we agree with, and we take reasoning from these sources. Becoming aware of this rather than understanding our own feed as truth, being open to other views, and questioning everything prevents us from immediately dismissing other opinions. We can have conversations and arguments without feeding into their divisive nature.
This is an excellent piece! I really liked how you used the presidential debates as an example of this "divisive arguing", since they are something a lot of people watched happen in dismay. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI think you explained this perfectly; society is losing its ability to have a civil debate, especially after the last election. I like the analogy of being in an echo chamber, because that's exactly what happens when people only listen to things they agree with.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better myself. You perfectly capture the essence of what it's like to debate in todays world. You know it has gotten bad when the leaders of our country, who get paid to debate on important topics and issues can't even have a civil conversation.
ReplyDeleteYour words have a great way of expressing the idea of arguing. You use the comparison of debating like with president candidates and I think that's a good example. I agree with your view of division in society because the world right now is completely divided. People only want to hear and see what they want to hear and see and it's been like that for centuries. Change won't occur with close-minded individuals. Something's got to give.
ReplyDeleteI like how you discussed that argumentation and debate has become "a battle rather than a conversation" because that is so apparent in today's society. It seems as though reasoning, cooperation and understanding have disappeared. The video link you included depicted what you discussed very well, great choice!
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