Navigating the Era of Keyboard Artillery
Reclaiming Constructive Debate
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These are our “LeADeRs?”
With Joe Biden recently skipping debates, or talk about getting rid of coming debates from the 2024 presidential election, and many politicians now only taking rhetorical interviews it has really got me thinking about where we are headed as society and what that might mean for my children.
When people cannot even muster up the courage to take constructive criticism and explain themselves where does it lead us?
The art of genuine debate seems to have been overshadowed by a quest for comfort and affirmation the past 20 years.
The landscape of discourse has shifted, with keyboard warriors and soft-ball debates becoming the norm, while the pursuit of truth and understanding takes a backseat.
The desire to feel comfortable and affirmed in one’s beliefs has hijacked the essence of healthy debate.
Instead of engaging in robust discussions that challenge our perspectives, many opt for a safer route – one that shields them from discomfort or the possibility of being proven wrong.
This inclination towards self-assurance over truth-seeking has led to a proliferation of echo chambers, where people surround themselves only with opinions that mirror their own.
We thank our “algos” primed by the currency printers in places of power for this amplification.
The rise of ad hominem attacks and the use of verbal artillery are symptomatic of this shift.
Rather than engaging with the substance of an argument, individuals resort to attacking the person making the argument. It's easier to discredit the messenger than to engage with the message itself.
The keyboard becomes a weapon, firing salvos of insults and derogatory remarks, further entrenching the divide between differing perspectives.
Then the attacker moves to a new platform and sets their artillery back up to launch a new salvo from a safe distance with little recourse…
So, how can we rekindle the spirit of constructive debate?
This has led to the phenomenon of 'softball debates,' where participants avoid challenging or being challenged. Or just skipping debates completely and gaslighting their audience.
These debates serve as mere performances, lacking the depth and intellectual rigor essential for genuine discourse. They prioritize surface-level agreement over the pursuit of truth or understanding.
The consequence of this trend is the erosion of the very fabric that binds a healthy society: the ability to engage respectfully in meaningful dialogue.
No pain, no gain: Start by acknowledging the value of discomfort is crucial. Growth seldom arises from comfort zones. Embracing the discomfort of having our beliefs questioned or challenged can lead to personal and collective growth. It's in this discomfort that we refine our arguments, expand our perspectives, and foster empathy towards opposing views.
Actually listen and give a sh"*t: By cultivating a culture of active listening is imperative. Instead of focusing on preparing counterarguments, truly listening to understand the nuances of others' viewpoints can bridge the gap between differing opinions. This doesn’t necessarily mean agreeing but rather empathizing and comprehending the underlying reasons behind divergent perspectives.
Humility: By promoting intellectual humility can revolutionize the way we engage in debates. Accepting that our knowledge and understanding are not infallible opens doors to learning and evolving. It encourages us to approach debates with an open mind, ready to absorb new information and revise our positions if necessary.
Seeing others as human: Constructive debate thrives in environments where mutual respect forms the foundation. Disagreement should not devolve into disrespect. When engaging in discussions, focusing on ideas rather than attacking individuals fosters an atmosphere conducive to genuine exploration and understanding.
Triangulate your position and refine: Diversifying our sources of information and engaging in debates across various platforms can break the echo chambers. Exposing ourselves to a spectrum of perspectives allows for a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues.
The big one…
Reclaiming the lost art of debate necessitates a paradigm shift—a move away from comfort-seeking to truth-seeking, from ad hominem attacks to substantive engagement, and from echo chambers to open dialogue.
It's a journey towards creating spaces where ideas flourish, opinions evolve, and understanding triumphs.
By fostering environments that prioritize respectful, informed, and genuine debate, we pave the way for a more harmonious and intellectually vibrant society.
In my opinion the destruction of the dollar and all fiat in to currencies has detached our actions from reality.
If we are to continue working away for infinite pieces of paper and trading our finite time for currency that another man can counterfeit (print/inflate) in to existence we will only continue the doom loop towards discontent.
These 5 points can help but until we get our head around the game being played on ALL of us at the highest level, nothing will change.
Stay strong,