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Are Americans not listening?
Discuss Susan Jacoby's "Talking to ourselves: Americans are increasingly close-minded and unwilling to listen to opposing views."
1.
In my mind in these latter days we are living in, I hope that the indignation Daniel spoke of will run its course, and we will keep what bears fruit from both the left and right, while casting aside what does produce bad fruit.
2. I so much appreciate this article, since people today refuse to debate. If you don't agree with a certain issue, it's dropped. Uneducated people incapable of debate just might get a gun and shoot you. Also, the influence of the internet today makes venomous comments by others opposed to an issue/candidate circulate wildly and the persons receiving these messages don't take the time or effort to check facts, just forward negative correspondence. It seems Americans today are more interested in cellphone conversations than is researching facts.
3. I agree with Susan Jacoby's essay ... but it is also surely of importance that when Hofstadter was writing, the United States enjoyed a very broad political consensus, which might be summarized as "economic liberalism and cultural conservatism" on the domestic front, and internationalist anti-Communism on the foreign front. That no longer exists. It's not that our willingness to listen to each other has changed, it is that we so much further apart.
4. What marvellous piece of writing/observation, I am a Biologist and I tend to argue for the sake of arguing. What I mean is I may agree with the point but argue the other way to allow a more thorough discussion/understanding of the point. I think if people could just be more open minded and dynamic with their thoughts on many subjects especially religion, politics and war/peace the world would be such a more friendlier place. It would allow for more discussion instead of barriers. I am English and I often find myself defending open thought. The media is to blame, its such a shame as humans we can't use our brains a little more.
5. Second, the negative. I thought it was ironic and demeaning, however, for jacoby to suggest that people who take time to read from both sides are "news junkies". Hmm. We are inherently an anti-intellectual culture and this has been known-for more than 2 decades. It's worth a follow up article on WHY. Ever tried talking with people? They don't have opinions for fear of appearing judgmental or negative (unfair). Might you have an opinion about them? There's a catch-22 in this fairness thing. To devise policies one has to have analyzed problems--and that is too negative for the Oprah generation.
6. First, the positive..I liked the points that it's a civic duty to think (not just vote), and that we as a people in a democracy deserve the government we have. Which means we are all responsible if we think Iraq was a mistake...
7. We're Smarter Than You Think By Jimmy Wales Tuesday, February 19, 2008; 12:00 AM - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/18/AR2008021801248.html says it all Mz Jacoby. Be of good cheer and weep no more, Wikipedia is here, and very much ALIVE and growing, thanks to the INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY of the "average" person. TV, as we know it, is dead, long live the World Wide Web.
8. After reading the first few comments, I gave up. Ms. Jacoby's decent, well-reasoned piece somehow brought all the troglodytes out of their caves to spew semi-literate hatred, proving her point.
9. I admire Jacoby's work, e.g., Free Thinkers, but think something is missing. She argues that we shouldn't blame the media, Washington or the elites for the subject lack of fairness and openmindedness, but something happened between the 1960's/1970's and today to create the situation of which she complains. But the people don't change so significantly solely on their own. Something has pushed us to the present undesireable state. What is it? Yes, the corporate media, the pundit class, (and consolidation of same) DO have a lot to do with it. Just telling people to be more fair or open-minded won't do it.
10. First, I would like to comment on comment # 1 by "Ira Knee" (stop! you're killing me!) Next I would like to answer #2 by Patrick Carroll: "So to paraphrase: 'Democrats Good! Republicans Bad' Right?" Right, provided the paraphrasor is a complete pin-head who is either incapable of reading Jacoby' text, or completely unwilling to try.
Submitted by: 57basque
2. I so much appreciate this article, since people today refuse to debate. If you don't agree with a certain issue, it's dropped. Uneducated people incapable of debate just might get a gun and shoot you. Also, the influence of the internet today makes venomous comments by others opposed to an issue/candidate circulate wildly and the persons receiving these messages don't take the time or effort to check facts, just forward negative correspondence. It seems Americans today are more interested in cellphone conversations than is researching facts.
Submitted by: Denise
3. I agree with Susan Jacoby's essay ... but it is also surely of importance that when Hofstadter was writing, the United States enjoyed a very broad political consensus, which might be summarized as "economic liberalism and cultural conservatism" on the domestic front, and internationalist anti-Communism on the foreign front. That no longer exists. It's not that our willingness to listen to each other has changed, it is that we so much further apart.
Submitted by: Doug1943
4. What marvellous piece of writing/observation, I am a Biologist and I tend to argue for the sake of arguing. What I mean is I may agree with the point but argue the other way to allow a more thorough discussion/understanding of the point. I think if people could just be more open minded and dynamic with their thoughts on many subjects especially religion, politics and war/peace the world would be such a more friendlier place. It would allow for more discussion instead of barriers. I am English and I often find myself defending open thought. The media is to blame, its such a shame as humans we can't use our brains a little more.
Submitted by: Mike Billing
5. Second, the negative. I thought it was ironic and demeaning, however, for jacoby to suggest that people who take time to read from both sides are "news junkies". Hmm. We are inherently an anti-intellectual culture and this has been known-for more than 2 decades. It's worth a follow up article on WHY. Ever tried talking with people? They don't have opinions for fear of appearing judgmental or negative (unfair). Might you have an opinion about them? There's a catch-22 in this fairness thing. To devise policies one has to have analyzed problems--and that is too negative for the Oprah generation.
Submitted by: Nicolettte
6. First, the positive..I liked the points that it's a civic duty to think (not just vote), and that we as a people in a democracy deserve the government we have. Which means we are all responsible if we think Iraq was a mistake...
Submitted by: Nicolettte
7. We're Smarter Than You Think By Jimmy Wales Tuesday, February 19, 2008; 12:00 AM - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/18/AR2008021801248.html says it all Mz Jacoby. Be of good cheer and weep no more, Wikipedia is here, and very much ALIVE and growing, thanks to the INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY of the "average" person. TV, as we know it, is dead, long live the World Wide Web.
Submitted by: goldenbill
8. After reading the first few comments, I gave up. Ms. Jacoby's decent, well-reasoned piece somehow brought all the troglodytes out of their caves to spew semi-literate hatred, proving her point.
Submitted by: Henderstock
9. I admire Jacoby's work, e.g., Free Thinkers, but think something is missing. She argues that we shouldn't blame the media, Washington or the elites for the subject lack of fairness and openmindedness, but something happened between the 1960's/1970's and today to create the situation of which she complains. But the people don't change so significantly solely on their own. Something has pushed us to the present undesireable state. What is it? Yes, the corporate media, the pundit class, (and consolidation of same) DO have a lot to do with it. Just telling people to be more fair or open-minded won't do it.
Submitted by: Charles Gallagher
10. First, I would like to comment on comment # 1 by "Ira Knee" (stop! you're killing me!) Next I would like to answer #2 by Patrick Carroll: "So to paraphrase: 'Democrats Good! Republicans Bad' Right?" Right, provided the paraphrasor is a complete pin-head who is either incapable of reading Jacoby' text, or completely unwilling to try.
Submitted by: Elkin Brown