Fortress Diverica

Madame:

Yes, the Canadians seemed quite capable of civil discussion.  Even the Native American (Canadian) group that was protesting fracking—and the RCMP’s harsh
response to their previous protest—was civil in discussing.  They were obviously very animated and motivated, but there was no shout/counter-shout like here.  And the crowd was sizable and respectful.  And so were the police.

Sound bites and talking points do seem to have replaced much rational discussion here in the States.  And our society is so disconnected—that lack of a sense of responsibility toward each other, as you mentioned—that so many feel assaulted, unvalued, unlinked.  In an environment like that, how easy it is to feel like a mobile fortress constantly under attack.  Sort of a personal feudalism to go along with the corporate feudalism.  One where we seek out those who are “with” us, and seek to overcome and dominate those aren’t.  True relationships become few—and often shallow.

And the shouting, domineering,  one-upmanship matches ensue as a result.  To keenly listen and not immediately reply is viewed as a sign of weakness by many onlookers, and the persons themselves often feel so besieged in their worldviews that they must defend them constantly.  By attacking.  Preferably preventively.   Using any manner of weapon, intellectually honest or not.

Hyper-individualism and hyper-capitalism breed constant competition.  The All-Yang drives out the Yin, and we are left with polarization, balkanization, and feudal or tribal mentalities in many, and critical thinking-absent “they’re all equally at fault” reactions from those who pay attention casually and occasionally.

And self-awareness is diminished to the point where self-correction of the above is unlikely without great and sustained crisis.  And diversion—the unthinking “free time” use by we masses—unwittingly serves the goals of those who do not want the masses in sustained focus and critical thinking.

My friends are contacting me to play a card game, my television is enticing me to watch, my fantastical books are calling me to lose myself in them…this Professor is no stranger to the siren songs of diversion!  What’s more, no guilt would be had in those pleasures either, were society and civilization on an overall sensible, sustainable path.  But alas…

Perhaps that’s why most of our diversions don’t satisfy for long.