R&I – FS
Do we value honesty?
I’m not sure that is the case.
Those who are the most honest and blunt often reveal things others don’t want to hear. The truth can be ugly, and saying the wrong thing can end in a social media-fueled wormhole. I hate the term, but “cancel culture” exists, and, while some have rightfully lost a job or respect over abhorrent behavior, I fear it has silenced some truly good people. There is often more potential penalty than benefit for speaking out.
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Do we value conversation?
No, that can’t be true. We are having some great and needed discussions in our country right now. They are long overdue, and are resulting in some tough but important change. But a conversation can only be considered one if it is two ways. And I fear that truly honest conversations come with the same risks as telling the truth, as mentioned above. Therefore, some of those “conversations” feel quite like one-way echo chambers.
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It is at this point where the muddiness of our current American society stands. We don’t agree on much of anything any more, and we continue to agree with less and less. Both sides think they have the answer, but the answer never includes give and take. It always includes a complete breakdown of all that the other side believes, which, of course, means the other side will never budge.
FoundingFrog
Article URL : https://www.thealpenanews.com/opinion/editorials-and-columns/2021/03/what-is-it-that-we-really-value/