I'm beggining to think that the age of electronic communication is simply enabling more and more division amongst common folk in our society. It seems like all of this increased ability to communicate would increase our understanding of each other, but it doesn't seem to work that way. Instead we anonymously hide behind avatars and throw barbs at people who think differently than us.
Western democracy is still driven by the populace, and the populace is more split than I can ever remember. I can't help that the internet is only helping to enlarge this gulf and not to reduce it. Will this only continue to get worse as we become more and more competent with computers, as electornic commmunication allows us to become more specialised and insular?
2006-09-08 03:57:43 · 6 answers · asked by ii7-V7 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
OK, it sucks that you can't edit your questions once they are posted.
2006-09-08 03:59:46 · update #1
I think maybe yes, but not because of the mudslinging behind avatars, in fact I almost think its in spite of it.
What worries me more is the fact that different parties seem to operate in almost entirely different spheres. They get their news from different sources, they hang out on different boards, etc. The result is a shrinking consensus of starting points that people agree on. Its only on boards like this where they crash into each other. Though we might wish for more intelligent debate, I'd prefer the insults to insularity.
2006-09-08 04:05:44 · answer #1 · answered by kheserthorpe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thinkl it starts that way, but if people stick to it, and keep working through the BS, I think that it is very effective in challenging your beliefs, or cementing them. It all depends why you are here...to smear the other party? Or to get some information. Those that smear only, are recognizable through time. I guess it also matters whether or not you have a brain capable of processing all of that information. It's probably detrimental to younger users, who are still forming oopinions, or are only using this forum to get their info. Great question!
2006-09-08 04:04:24 · answer #2 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are a lot of immature people here ..but don't despair by in large most of us are learning something even if it takes a while to sink in.It might take a while but find the folks here that you wish to debate with and only respond to their questions ,as to the others simply ignore them or give them the proverbial thumb.
2006-09-08 04:02:47 · answer #3 · answered by dstr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought internet allows more contacts than divisions in the community!
2006-09-08 04:03:06 · answer #4 · answered by Sami V 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, why do you think that Al Gore invented it?
2006-09-08 04:05:12 · answer #5 · answered by El Pistolero Negra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope so
2006-09-08 04:03:38 · answer #6 · answered by 43 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋