So, the internet community rose up together and conquered SOPA and PIPA, for now. That is a good thing. Although I am certain that some senator or congressman will bring them back in another form, it is, after all, what they get paid to do by lobbiest. The biggest and fastest growing online petition ever, websites going on a blackout, letters and phone calls to politicians. The Occupiers should be jealous. They couldn’t get that many people to agree on one thing for a cause they feel is the most justified cause ever (even amongst themselves). But then, their message does not truly affect everyone, and their “solutions,” if you can find them, do not appeal to most folks outside of the fringe. Try to censor the internet, however, and you are stomping on everyone’s toes. So, rightfully and justly, we arose together and put out the flames of censorship so that we can remain free to post what we want, to say what we will, and to argue with anyone who dares to disagree.
I read a blog this morning about things the author did not, and will never, understand. Simple things really, like football and Family Guy. A light hearted account of everyday things that escaped her realm of interest. The darkest subject broached was the Facebook debate, you know, when someone post their opinion, or an article they agree with, and others chime in with why they are in disagreement with that opinion or article. Most often these “debates” go unresolved, with nobody’s mind being changed, and no one willing to look at a subject from another point of view, much like American politics have devolved into. While the author took a whimsical stab at making these exchanges seem humorous, the subject is one that has been bothering me for some time. Not necesarally debate, as a healthy debate, an exchange of opinions in which people are open minded enough to listen to each other and weigh those opinions honestly instead of just preparing the next volley of their own while the other is speaking, is how we learn how and why others feel about important ideas. Honestly evaluating reasons of theirs and our own may lead to a change in our own opinion. However, that type of debate seems to have died. The modern debate is nothing more than people trying to force their opinions on each other, demanding that their way is right, and all others are wrong. It is this kind of debate that has led to the stagnancy of Congess, and politics in general. Even if you disagree with your party line, you better not go against it. If you are a represenative who does so, you will soon feel the wrath of your party, getting your funding and staff reduced or just plain thrown out of your party. So much for the good of the people. Debate today is more opinionated ranting than the exchange of ideas it used to be. And that is where it starts to get ugly.
Nowhere can opinions get uglier than on the internet. People feel safe to spew their negativity behind the screen of anonymity, even if they actually use their real name. Ninety-nine percent of the time, those that see their rant will ever know or meet the ranter, so it is open season on all who disagree. Most of the time, however, real names are not used, just in case the wrong person was to happen across it. The real hatred is free to flow. Hatred for everything. All one has to do to see this is read the comments section under any online article. And I do mean any article. You will see rampant racism, open hatred for homosexuals, utter disdain for any religious group, especially Christians, condemnation for the non-religious, and of course, complete contempt for differing political views. It doesn’t matter what the article is about. There is no story safe from becoming political. No matter how mundane or seemingly unrelated to politics, you better believe someone will post a comment blaming Democrats or Republicans for the subject of the story, or why the story is even a subject. It can be a recipe for biscuits and gravy, and you will see a flow of comments about how the Democrats will keep this off your table because they want to control what we eat. This will elicit explantions of why Republicans are all fat bastards because they eat this stuff. Followed by some racist vitriol on how this food is eaten by rednecks or niggers. Or how you deserve to die if you eat like this, this is why America is obese. If a subject comes anywhere near religion, you can read about how stupid anyone who follows any religion is, and multiply that stupidity by five if they are Chirstians. Not to be outdone, you will also read a volley of comments condemning all those ignorant athiests straight to hell, and why they will rot there. God, afterall hates fags, the Westboro Babtist Church has made sure we know that (although I am quite certain I was always told God loves all of his children). If you are gay, you will burn in hell. Even if you are just tolerant enough to accept the gay person’s right to live how he wants, you are going to burn in hell. Tolerance of others rights to live will aparently be what destroys society, not the hatred for each other that is evident in these comment sections. Nowhere is racism more evident than in the comments following any article about sports. The same sports the commentors spend every waking hour watching are apparently why they hate anyone of another color, if that athelete fails their team, or does something they don’t agree with, like buy a fancy car, house, or even over priced sneakers.
If ever you feel that racisim, hatred, and intolerance are a thing of the past, that we have evolved beyod that ugliness, just spend some time in the internet comment sections. You will be quickly reminded of just how far we still have to go. And remember, it starts from within. Drop your own prejudices, and stop throwing stones. You can only see the target because your house is made of glass. We who are imperfect have no right to judge the imperfections of others.
Peace.
