More and more we appear to be losing the ability to have sensible, intelligent and respectful debate and discussion in Australia. That applies to politics, social interaction, comment to media, radio debate. It's all pervading.
What drives this I do not understand. But what is blatantly obvious, it's hindering our ability to talk about important issues. As a result, there is acrimonious division I don’t recall we had in the past. People seem to vent rather than listen and, discuss and make sensible suggestions.
I wonder if social media like Twitter drives this. Perhaps it's easier to just hurl abuse and hide behind the anonymity of 140 characters. It's not the forum for debate but that shouldn’t hinder people from making intelligent points. There are increasing numbers of people who access information via sites like Twitter, FB, etc. When I read in the last Essential Poll on average 40% of people don’t know which party is best placed to manage essential areas like the economy, our security etc I shudder. Rather scary.
A recent example. Niki Savva published a column in the Australian this week. The title; Dear DelCons please drop the abuse and play nice on plebiscite. The DelCons went to town on her. Pity really because she highlighted relevant points about the SSM plebiscite and Labor’s hypocrisy. Niki also touched on the repeal of 18C and how the DelCons might get a better hearing by changing their aggressive approach.
It was blatantly obvious for the vast majority of readers the only intent was to launch an attack on Ms Savva because they see her as a traitor. The points she raised hardly entered the debate. Of the 732 comments (at my last count) the vast majority just slings and arrows. Slings and arrows aimed at her and at each other depending on what tribe or camp you belonged to. Senseless. The vast majority of comment was pretty childish. Although on the positive side perhaps it's good therapy. The venters let off steam. But, for political analysts scanning media to track what people considered important, it offered nothing of substance. What a waste of an opportunity.
It might surprise many but even people we don’t like (or hold different political, social and religious views with) can prompt us to think if we bother to listen. God forbid we might even learn something and change our opinion on a point of view. I know I have many times. Much to my surprise at times.
The art of debate requires the debater to present a succinct and compelling argument for their case. But more importantly it requires the listener and responder to listen and analyse the merits. The listening and analysing on merit appears to be missing all too often. Seriously, when was the last time that happened in politics as an example. Hawke and Howard? Just look at the level of interaction between opposing parties today. Only last week the PM’s call for Bill Shorten to work with the Government on their bank plan was met with a Twitter response from Shorten; No. For heavens sake two year olds behave like that.
If there is one positive we can say about Malcolm Turnbull, it's he doesn’t engage in verbal mudslinging. It's a refreshing change. However, people attack him because of it. The DelCon’s, media, opposition and even a slew of backbenchers. How disappointing. Well, it is to me.
As an avid scourer of media comment; print and social. I can’t recall the last time I read “I don’t share that view but I respect your position.” The classic response now is, “You’re a RWNJ or LWNJ I hate you.” Similar responses follow comment to any topic; politics, social change, religion. Politicians from all camps behave like recalcitrant school kids when they can’t get their way.
We should be able to table topics that concern us without expecting to suffer an avalanche of abuse or ridicule. That includes raising issues like Muslim extremism. People are worried about this. Politicians who knee-jerk are just as bad as those who are not prepared to have the discussion.
The same goes for SSM. How dare a politician like Richard Di Natalie say he doesn’t trust us!!!How dare Bill Shorten throw mud at the Australian people's suggesting we are all a bunch of homophobes and bigots. How dare politicians like Derryn Hinch ridicule us over the plebiscite! He hasn’t even entered the chamber and, he's trying to take our right to that away from us. How dare they treat us like that!
Someone made a comment to me yesterday. It was about the SSM plebiscite and the opposition’s and others vow to block the legislation. Trashing our rights to have our say that we voted for and won. I shared the latest Essential Poll which indications the yes vote will win. I can’t say this surprised me when a poster said this, “yes, by that it's going to get up. What a joke! Doubt if I'd like my name on a gay list if I was passed. Targets for Moslems.” Seriously. But people think like that and it largely stems from the lack of intelligent debate.
I could go on. But, in closing I suggest this. If we want debate (and sensible, intelligent debate at that) perhaps it behoves us to act sensibly and responsibly ourselves. That means showing respect for other people's points of view. At the same time we must demand the same from our elected representatives. They must learn and accept that in a servant leadership culture, (make no mistake they are the servants of the people), they have to serve others respectfully. We must demand they do and not accept anything less. When we vote them in, we justify their behaviour.
It was Albert Einstein who said "If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity.” But let's bring respect and tolerance back.
