Can we communicate with other people in our society? Why not, we always have been able to, haven't we? Well, no. I don't believe so. People have always argued politics, religion, and whether to bunt with a man on first and less than two outs. Before the Internet and Facebook we argued in pamphlets, newspapers, books, and over a beer at the AMS Club. And we rarely if ever came to a universally agreed-to solution to a problem. Oftentimes these arguments resulted in wars. Refer here to the early 1860s. Not my idea of a good ending to a beer, especially if it was my shout..
How has technological advancements in modern communication systems affected the ability to have reasonable discussions? When we communicate with others, do we reach better solutions to our differences?
Again, consider the recent mass shootings at Aurora, Colorado. American society has an obvious problem of extreme gun violence. I think that most Americans would acknowledge it as fact. Every other country in the world (at least every one I have lived in, visited, known anyone who has lived in or visited, or could identify on a world map) knows that America has a problem with gun violence. The statistics verify it. But can we reasonably discuss the problem? I'm not suggesting any form of gun control or that we should be like Australia or Switzerland--just discuss how to reduce gun violence. Seems like we should want to. When the issue comes up on the Internet, or the 24/7 cable TV networks, or anyone's smartphone, what happens? Bumper-sticker philosophies. Bigoted cartoons. Or one-sided discussions with people in the same mirror.
What has technology given us? Has it assisted our ability to have reasonable discussions and helped improve American society? I don't think so. It seems that we are left with discussions with others who support our preconceived beliefs. Do we even want to have discussions with those who are unlike us? I think we should, but technology has hampered any attempt to do so. Can we change this?
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