Elder Advice – Thinking Outside the Box – Week 30
Harrison and I watched the U.S. presidential debates this week. Just the two of us, although there were four people in the room. We were beside ourselves.
For ninety excruciating minutes, in virtual disbelief. we watched a President of the United States debase the office, his country and all of the principles of democracy for which it allegedly stands. I say “virtual” disbelief because, of course, the performance was largely a repetition of the egregious mis-statements and mis-conduct we have watched for the past 3 years. The hands down highlight was the moderator’s announcement that it was over. Or perhaps the Japanese simultaneous translation available on Youtube, which features three translators vainly trying to keep up with the torrent of interruption and abuse.
When, I wonder, can we get the opium dens reopened?
How has it come to this?
Elder Advice concludes there are three reasons:
First, the breakdown of trust in public institutions, and civic leaders, a process which began in the 1970s. The misdeeds of a few in public office has given an evidentiary basis for what is largely conspiratorial nonsense. It has eroded faith in those chosen to lead. And done so at a time when real leaders are scarce. Like hen’s teeth … or husbands of Taylor Swift.
Second, the abandonment of the search for truth, and the adoption of a new goal - finding information which confirms the biases people already hold. Fiction which can masquerade as fact. That’s not news … its Fox News. That is what turns us away from the centuries of sensible conclusions arrived at by our thoughtful forebears, and usually based on the foundational truth of Occam’s razor. And that is what dismantles the reality that used to be shared and the discourse that used to be civil.
Third, the rise of the machines - the social media machines - which have fuelled and accelerated the process of both the first and the second. There is now good data that shows social media algorithms allow false information to spread differently and faster than truth because of the “novelty hypothesis.” Apparently, a natural human craving for the new makes us more likely to ignore common sense and accept and pass on uncommon nonsense. Although Jonathan Swift said, “Falsehood flies and truth comes limping after”. And he said it in 1710. So, perhaps the machines have only increased the flight speed.
How dispiriting.
What to do about it? Well, those who have been playing close attention over the past 30 weeks will have ready answers. It is all there in the Elder Advice:
Keep calm and perspective.
Think positive – but not COVID positive.
Identify and consume only credentialed, reliable media.
Consider - with increasing care - the source of all information that comes your way.
Recognize that Canada is not the U.S. when it comes to these issues and, more important, why that is so. A constitutional monarchy with a head of state who is not the head of government. A civil society characterized by few entrenched powers, compromise and reconciliation. That is what makes us different and what requires our attention and protection.
Be open to strangers and strange ideas.
Fall in love with aeroplane mode.
Find a quiet spot
Be the Chocolate Man
Small Things Matters.
Appearances Can be Deceiving.
Insist, always, that liberal democratic principles be respected. Everyone gets to speak freely. Everyone is respectful of the views of others, honestly held. Reliable data is required. Consensus is encouraged. Common sense should prevail.
That this advice is offered on a social media platform is an irony not lost on me. But it is not nearly as delicious as the irony that hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the word for fear of long words. Or that Donald Trump has COVID.