Information Nation
Note: This article was published as part of my column in the September 21, 2009 edition of MTSU Sidelines. Visit mtsusidelines.com for more information.
I am not one for uncivilized discourse. I have always had the mindset that if two parties involved in an argument cannot see the bigger picture of an issue and what is needed to resolve it, then there is no point in engaging. The word “civility” seems to be a concept that many have thrown out the window. Before the past few months, I was an optimist. I really did believe those who engaged in shout-fests and name-calling was reserved for the young people like ourselves, who sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment, and for political pundits on television who are just looking to increase their ratings in the end. That all changed for me during and after the Presidential election of 2008. Sound bites and political scare tactics seemed to become the name of the game. Phrases such as “terrorist”, “socialism”, “Joe the Plumber”, and others began to break their way through the surface. People around the nation instantly took grasp of all these, and ran with them. To me, it seemed like the final line had been drawn.
Where it did go wrong? Where is it headed? To be honest, I really don’t know. Many people seem to have taken the route I have chosen though: to become a sideline observer. After the election I began to tell myself that if I just watch everything and not get involved with the arguing and name calling, then maybe I could positively benefit from all of it. I thought, if I can keep a straight head about myself and try to find the truth then maybe I could have a better-informed opinion when I do want to make a case for a certain argument. Many Americans, like myself though, seemed to feel let down. Not only by the politicians who they elected to serve them, but by also the news media. I believe this is one component in a series of events and attitudes that have changed the way the public views not only public policy but also world events, entertainment news, etc. With all of this happening, with all the noise coming in from every possible direction, it’s easy to say “that’s enough” and never engage in any of it.
One problem many recognize is the seemingly increasing rise of non-objective news. Every night, millions of television viewers turn on their TVs to watch Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, Wolf Blitzer, Lou Dobbs, and countless others deliver the “news”. Americans are smart, we can see through the slant they present. But unfortunately it seems now many only want to hear the things that back up their beliefs. Many seem unwilling to listen to opinions that are different from theirs, for fear that their own may change. In the end this will only have a harmful effect, not only on those who don’t want to know the other side, but also on the entire nation. When we are given the freedom to choose the information that we can listen to and internalize, we are given an awesome power. When choosing information, it might be important to ask a series of questions, such as “does the information come from a reliable source?” and “does this give an accurate picture of what is really happening?”
There seems to be a silver lining in all of this though. With the rise of social media, many have taken the responsibilities of reporting the news and made it their own. Websites such as iReport and YouTube’s “Citizen Tube” channel offer regular, everyday people a chance to tell the story that is actually happening without the influence of spin doctors or big media executives. Additionally, channels such as PBS are usually (not all the time, though) said to have more of a “non-biased” point of view with news programs such as Frontline. Ultimately, we as consumers have the power to choose in the end. It is up to each of us to decide just what we want to think, and ultimately contribute to this country and the world.
