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The Challenge |
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We should all be concerned about the level of intellectual honesty in our national dialogue. From the quality of discourse in TV news and political “shout shows” (“debate” shows), to real people on the streets and at cocktail parties, or the type of cultural dialogue we see on shows like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich, the quality sure isn’t what it could be. And as you'll see, there are real consequences to emotion-driven thinking. The time has come for a change. In the 1990's, "SPIN" was a cool world. We admired those who could weave a magnificent web. But in the information age, we have been "SPUN" to death. We are weary. It's time for reason. Politics - as an exampleFor all its faults, The United States’ process of electing leaders is a shining star, a positive emblem of democracy. If a President loses an election, we have always expected, and have always had, a smooth transition of power. The President turns over the keys the White House, the nuclear codes, and goes home. At the same time, the lack of intellectual honesty in our political races, across the spectrum, is a shame. In terms of real content, elections are simply absurd. There are no real issues or in-depth discussions. There are almost exclusively half-truths, oversimplifications, “Free candy” and giveaways as Ross Perot used to call them, and character assassinations. Though as we’ll see, there is plenty of blame to go around - for the media, the candidates, and certainly for us who demand the simple solutions and government fixes for any threat – real or perceived. We really could do better. And we can maximize pleasure and minimize pain only if we begin to understand our emotional needs and tendencies, and place greater importance upon truth. Responsibility?We should also consider the possibility that we take for granted the tremendous gift of freedom that we’ve inherited. Forgive me, because I don’t mean to lecture, and I don’t believe by any stretch of the imagination that things are getting worse in this regard. But the simple fact is that WE CAN DO BETTER! The privilege of inheriting this democracy comes with a responsibility for us as citizens, electors, jury members in the judicial system, and as members of the ultimate jury, in the ultimate trial that happens every day - the trial consisting of public discourse, discussion, and dialogue on matters of critical local, national, and international importance - to contribute in an intellectually honest way. You and I form opinions, and express them. We vote. We raise children and teach them about the world. WHAT WE DO MATTERS! AND TOGETHER WE CAN DO BETTER at encouraging honest, truth-driven dialogue that will better help us ensure maximum benefit for the maximum number of people. We can take actions based on reality, rather than on perception, and improve health, business, career and life in the process. |
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