A Glimpse at the Current Tone

Have you ever considered that the changes in popular culture extend beyond the (much relied upon for sales) generation gap; and that perhaps these influx of sounds and images miss the mark trying to out-do what others have done. The future of misguided communication is creeping up on us. We are surrounded by harsh and strident voices which proclaim a new era of improved communication by expressing a din of self-importance. Civility is often forgotten. And the need to express a view openly trumps any sense of decency and decorum. Is the point-of-view really about positive change and influence? It seems that most creative and political media are more often driven by self-aggrandizement or making money than by a desire to improve our discourse and elevate or inspire.

The harsher the tones and colors in discourse, the more noticeable they tend to become. It is sometimes hard to look away from ugliness which pretends to be important. But; however difficult it may be, it is the responsibility of all of us to draw attention away from the gutter-talk by paying less attention to it. And to elevate the sublime by sponsoring and patronizing it.

There must be standards and unwritten rules. Why not live by this rule: if what I am doing offends a lot of people, I should try to understand why. It is justified to be repulsed if someone is malicious or careless; a fact which is overlooked by the thoughtless. No visual art, music, public discourse or comedy; if they can legitimately be so-named, can justify the use of profanity, vulgarity, pornography, name-calling or any other indecent and corrosive social expression. These have become so pervasive and accepted that it only shows the gullibility of the user (and ultimately of the society) and the voracious greed and self-importance that preys upon the enslaved mind.

The individual right to express a view is important, but an individual right to not have to view or listen to unsavory content is also important. Who decides? Of course the majority decides. And if we continue to decide incorrectly or not speak up then the ill-effects of our decision will become more and more evident. The social and personal costs we are currently paying will have to increase. The opposite is also true. If we (those who understand that the difference between right and wrong extends beyond the obvious) will not stand for pervasive lasciviousness and perversion or belittling and demeaning discourse, then we can turn the climate around. We can change the tide by choosing not to patronize degrading media in any form, and by voicing our opposition to it. By actively searching for praiseworthy sources of information, education and entertainment to participate in; our efforts (our time or money) will certainly convert into a powerful affirmation of good. Not only for ourselves, but ultimately we all have an impact on the world. If you do nothing, then your impact may not be as negative as an advocate of indecency and incivility, but it will be unaffirmative as well as absent and thereby (along with others like you) effectually annulling.