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It's interesting the writer brings up the Betsy Ross Flag. It seems this is where the joy went. Arguing over the meaning of symbols and trivial things. Turning
by xupybd 7y ago
It's interesting the writer brings up the Betsy Ross Flag.
It seems this is where the joy went. Arguing over the meaning of symbols and trivial things. Turning what used to be minor disagreements into huge offence.
Many see the flag as a sign of white supremacism and see any positive association as a dog whistle to racists.
Yet many conservatives see the attacks on the flag as an attack on the history of the United States. They see such an attack as a denouncing of the values they hold dear.
Neither side seems to ever have constructive dialogue. It just turns into mud slinging. Each side offended at each other's position with no real way forward.
That to me is where the joy has gone. There has to be a way to get things back on track and less polarised.
- PakG1 7y agoThis is not unique to the US. I see similar partisan issues causing division around the world. Same pattern, no constructive dialogue, no way to move forward, just constant conflict. I think people were either better at dialogue before, or people have always sucked at it, but it took the Internet becoming really widespread in day-to-day use for people to notice it.
- xupybd 7y agoI agree with you totally. I think the difference is that in person you are more aware of the other person's emotional reaction to what you're saying. You can see it in their body language. On the internet we all become narcissists only aware of our own feelings. In smaller communities you have to learn to get along despite a difference of opinion. On the internet you'll find someone who agrees with you and can trash everyone that doesn't. This coupled with a more rapid shift in the values of the west than I think we've ever seen, there are conflicts everywhere.