What It Is

I enjoy discussion and debate as much as the next person. Certain rules must be in place for this to occur. Personal attacks are out. Keep emotions in check. Be open to differing viewpoints and criticize constructively. In in ideal world these rules would be a given. On television, where much debate occurs, these rules do not exist. Objectivity seems nonexistent and attacking one's character are the norm.

Many of the talking heads we see televised are popular due to specific techniques used while speaking to their mass audience:

Patronize their viewers
Minimize whom they disagree with
Demonize those they fear
Ostracize anyone who disagrees
Canonize like-minded speakers

The end-result is:

Polarize the country as a whole

Watch any of the popular political pundits with the above points in mind and I think you will agree. Why does this happen? Calm, rational and well thought-out debate just would not gather the viewers nor increase ratings. When there are no stated rules that must be followed, other than the FCC's, other rules then naturally develop. My next paragraph will attempt to summarize them.

Discussion is often based upon the hosts' particular politics or ideology. Much of what is mentioned is based upon, not what is, but on what would/should/could have been. Too often the "whys" are covered before we ever learn the facts of the "what." The roundtable type discussion usually degenerates into speculation and debating minutiae; minutiae that changes as more facts become available. Most of the guest speakers on these shows seem quite out-of-touch. They are too often academic types who leave their vaulted towers just long enough to make a quick buck or push their latest treatise.

I hold no allusions that much of the information available on the Internet is pure crap. You might actually step into a bit here and there on this blog if you are not careful. The Web has a few benefits though that makes it a more viable information source than television any day of the week. Anytime you must find the truth for yourself rather than repeat what another has said is always best. Look around as you surf and seek varying points of view. Do not simply settle on some site that agrees with your mindset and think that you have done enough. You have not.

Truth is relative. Politics, experience, religion and even our own repressed desires can affect how we view our changing world. These facts will never be uttered by the denizens of Fox News, the New York Times or any other media outlet or source. Be your own investigative reporter. Look behind the news. Look at multiple sources of information. Ask questions and then ask even more questions. As soon as you are satisfied that you truly understand an issue you have probably just scratched the surface. Dig deep enough and in enough places and you might just strike information gold!