Is it Okay to Voice an Opposing Opinion (Part 2)

Yesterday I started to talk about some of the reasons that make it difficult in today's culture to voice opposing opinions and ideas without stirring up negative feelings. I'll continue with a second reason that I believe has had an impact on this phenomenon.  And I feel the need to point out that this article is merely an opinion - I've not conducted any real research on this topic.  It's just something I've pondered recently.   Okay - so onto the second reason...

2) Technology!  More than ever, our social norms are being carved and shaped by the new technologies that we employ.  As much as technology has served to make life 'easier' for us in many ways; it has also been a disservice to us in many more ways.   It has literally sped up life in a way that would make our ancestors heads spin.  Everything is bite-sized and instantaneous: emails, facebook statuses and twitters, cell phone texts, faxes, tv channel surfing.... we even love our movies to be fast paced and we want 24/7 access to all of this.  And the end result is something that many scholars refer to as an epidemic: the loss of our attention span.

Compare this hyper-speed rhythm with that of slowing down to leisurely read a book and ponder its ideas.  Or sitting with a friend over a cup of tea to discuss great books and ideas.  Who makes time for these things?  I recently have been trying to start a Classics book club where we would get together once a month in person (yes - in person!) to discuss great books and their themes and ideas.  The very people who spend hours surfing the internet and updating their facebook statuses every day do not have the desire to create time to get together for an hour once a month for enriching face-to-face interaction!  We are becoming a society who is losing the ability to socialize in an organic way.  The person who has 423 facebook friends might rarely spend time discussing thoughtful ideas with 5 of them face-to-face. We would much rather stay behind our computers and cell phones it seems.

When we do get together - we never have time to get beyond the surface level stuff.  We discuss our facebook statuses  "Oh I saw your status - did you get your shopping all done?"  And rarely do you see people letting go of their grip on their blackberries and iphones even while visiting in person. Never mind that there is the opportunity in the 'here and now' to make deep connections - they are worried that they may miss out on a 20 second text from someplace else.  So there is the constant distraction of technology even if we DO get together in person. 

All of this just serves to keep us from discussing ideas.  And getting too deep.  If you never get beyond the 30 second facebook check-ins with friends, you certainly never get to the point where you are discussing relevant topics of any depth or great books and their ideas. 

And so IF someone DOES interject into this warp speed way of life with a thoughtful opposing opinion (although its a miracle that anyone would have the time for that)- its no wonder its not welcomed for what it is - a chance to slow down and ponder.  We are immediately irritated  with this blip in our fast paced life where we never have to get tooo personal and where we are all busy accepting one another from behind the shelter of our technology!!

I hope that I connected those two ideas effectively: technology and its impact on the dying art of exchanging opinions and debating them.  Its often hard to get my thoughts clearly down in writing... and I feel like I've only just briefly touched this topic - there are so many other facets to how technology is keeping us from deep conversations. But I already feel like this post is getting super long....

Besides, I've received 4 email notifications and I really MUST go and check them out!!! GRIN!!! Just kidding!!

What can we do to change this phenomenon?  Because we each have more impact than you may think.  I've once heard that our actions can have enough of a ripple effect to impact up to 25,000 people!!  So here are some ideas:

1) Take the time to read great books.  Classics.  Read them yourselves and read them aloud to your family.  Reading great books is kind of like expanding your palate - you need to give your tastebuds time to adjust but they will adjust!! You just need to keep exposing different flavors!  Just because your kids only want to read vampire and zombie books right now - don't give up on exposing them to great works of literature.  They WILL aquire a taste for the finer things in life!

2) Take the time to ENGAGE in discussing these books. Venture into the GREAT CONVERSATION that leaders have been talking about for centuries.    It will feel awkward and contrived at first.  It still does to me.  But it will in time expand our minds and become more natural!  Engage even those friends who are not reading the same books as you!

3) Turn off the tv.  Invite people over for tea or coffee to discuss ideas!  Radical eh??  A gathering where the sole purpose is to converse!

4) If that seems like too much of a jump, then invite friends over for a board game where conversations will develop and flow....

5) Open your home more often to invite different people over for a meal and try and engage in different topics - be bold and talk about the no-no's:  Religion and politics!!  This is a BIG step out of my comfort zone - but how enriching it would for Luke to break bread with people from all walks of life!

6) Its a very long process, and its a balancing act - but teach your children to examine different viewpoints offered to them.  Its hard not to stay polarized in our position and its hard to remain teachable and open minded, especially when conversations get a bit heated.   But we must teach our children to look for the truth in others opinions and ideas.  Conversely, there will be times after careful examination when we will decide to disregard ideas and opinions, in a gracious way.  All this takes years of practice - it won't happen overnight - but the main idea is to ensure that we don't let the art of conversation and gracious debate die away!

Many of these things are outside my own comfort level - but I think its vital - we are raising tomorrow's leaders after all!! Its imperative that we give them exposure to discussing, debating and even opposing opinions and ideas with real live people!  We need to raise leaders who CARE enough to take the time discuss these kinds of topics with others.  Lets snatch those game boys away (are they even called game boys any longer??) and create situations where we can meet with other families to chat about all sorts of  ideas and books!!

Is it okay to voice an opposing opinion??? The answer is a resounding YES please!! But take the time to first read quality materials, then take more time to reflect and ponder the ideas....and then try and discuss in person!

Oh and if any of you are interested in taking part in a Classics Book Club - please let me know!