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Communication Making The World Less Tolerant
angkor writes "Interesting NY Times magazine article with a contrarian viewpoint: "In some ways, global satellite TV and Internet access have actually made the world a less understanding, less tolerant place." " Reg. required blah blah - but the point the author makes is interesting - what if all the hubbaloo about connecting people via the Internet makes us less likely to like each other?
I've wondered this many times about how the media affects people and how instant media changes the dynamics. I remember the repeated instant images on Spetember 11th and the sheer hysteria that has occurred.
Having taken several courses on film and media, I know that all media is filtered. While we seem to find that the news is objective, we fail to understand that instant news is as subjective as possible, as instant coverage of an even often presents only one side to the story.
The sad thing is that our education systems don't teach us to question the news. I remember being in my social studies class and we read the the news and treated it like it was all the facts.
I think sites like Alternet are a great counter-culture to mass media. People need to learn to look at several news sources, as well as read up on the background behind the stories.
Perhaps in the United States, a country that seems to be involved all over the world, more emphasis should be places on world history and world cultures in education.
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. - G.B. Shaw
... that most of it is likely to be biased, half-truths, reinforcement of stereotypes, or some times plain wrong. I believe that one needs to choose the sources of information appopriately. Likewise communicating with people too
:)
Same with any real world interaction -- e.g., if you have good friends and read "good stuff", chances are you'd turn out to be good.
Is it just me or anyone notice people going into a rage everytime they see the news or read newspapers? The same old eternal problems seem to occupy front pages every day (tanks rolling in/people bombing, people killed in communal violence, to drill or not to drill in Alaska, Microsoft says OSS is evil
Here is my attempt to "categorize" experience on the net:
News: Plusses -- Essential ; minuses -- Enraging/helplessness
Discussions: Plusses -- Sense of community, wide range of views, healthy debates, find out past discussions ; minuses -- too much content
Information: Plusses -- vital for learning, enriching, easy to get ; minuses -- might end up at the same pr0n site/games site after a few hops
Misc: Plusses -- Health tips, inspiring readings, past literature, depressing reading!
Regardless of the technological mumbo-jumbo, one thing remains clear to me: all humans are essentially similar.
Humans are generally narrow-minded, self-centered, jealous assholes. I'm not happy about that fact, but there it is. There's little joy in finding out more about people far away, only to learn that they're just like people that irritate me close to home.
And, I expect, they feel exactly the same about me.
Tolerance is _not_ based on aggreement. Thinking that it is spawned many of the problems mentioned here. Tolerance is definitely not defined by selective application of censorship. Tolerance is also not based upon the notion that it can itself be selectively applied. If someone gets on the air or net and says they disagree with a particular lifestyle, a particular policy or a particular action then it is entirely possible that if those opinions are not in sync with the elitists that set our 'open minded policy', that person will most likely get beaten, slandered, cursed, looted and at the very least censored. When this happens it creates a further divide. People who did not have much of an opinion previously are now galvanized, with the majority of those on the side of the victimized person. This process repeats itself at varying levels throughout the country and world at large, thus acting as a force that backs many into a corner. If you ever want to be surpised, back a 'harmless' little animal into a corner and watch how it will rip you a new one.
On a related note is the distribution of resources. I love charities. I think that they give hope and more physical resources to those that need it the most. I also know that they are addictive and contagious, which adds to their merit. However they are the results of all good things in the world... ACTION. However, many feel like everything in life, including choices, opinions and thought, is taken care of for them. The become sheep who give credence to the saying that 'there is life then there is living.'
If you choose to give to charities, you are doing a great service. If you choose to give of yourself (work instead of just passing cash) you are even better, and will get a much better reward. (That proud feeling that you made a positive difference, instead of just the fire and forget aspect that apathetically hopes something good will come of your dollar). However the line is drawn when you in _ANY_ way try to force others to give to your cause. Yes, folks that means taxes... which means any governmental funding. And here is a hint... remember that topic about a cornered animal? That happens here. You will drive away those that would normally give of their resources and themselves.
Congratulations liberal, you are your own worst enemy, and especially are the worst enemy of the causes and people you _claim_ to champion.
Why oh why do people think hate is caused by ignorance. Hate = perception of threat. Knowing more about something can strengthen hate, powerfully.
Globalised media has made the whole world relevant to everyone. Would the Arabs hate America so much if TV and radio wasn't around? Of course not, because it would seem further away and therefore less relevant & therefore less threatening.
And what is this talk of "intolerance"? It doesn't make sense to me, it's like talking about being half pregnant. We're all "intolerant" of many things, such as slavery etc. And would you be "tolerant" towards an ethnic group which factually enthusiastically wishes to kill you? Sometimes we need to be realists and forget the buzzwords.