EDIT: post title changed to make more sense….
I’ve been reading some stuff during the past day that, while disturbing me, is provoking some thought.
I’m thinking a lot about poles, extremes, dichotomies, and dilemmas.
Things like:
- Digital (yes/no, 0/1, on/off) vs. analog
- Freedom of speech vs. communication within defined boundaries
- Prejudice vs. respect
- Anger vs. empathy
- Talking vs. listening
- Humor/satire vs. cruelty
- Love vs. hate
- Principles vs. situations
- Groups vs. individuals
- Trolls vs. patriots
- Laws vs. mores
- Inclusion vs. exclusion
- Logic vs. emotion
- Reality vs. illusion
- Surface vs. inside
- Taste vs. bluntness
- And, somewhere, common sense vs. human nature
Do all of the big questions only have two answers? Or are there other solutions?
There is one world and one main public Web that binds it. We all live, work, and play here.
Is there one right, appropriate solution when people publish content that other people find offensive?
I don’t know. But if we judge people solely by what we see, then some might think that I really do have blue skin and a green glowing, exposed brain. My avatar does, I don’t. But that’s what most people see.
I’m not the most community oriented person, but I worry when strong feelings work to separate its members.
Note: these are the writings that have prompted these thoughts:
Adding Fuel To The Fire of Racism
A FriendFeed thread related to the above
Loren Feldman, The New Yorker, and Social Media Evil
FriendFeed thread related to the above
Another FriendFeed thread about learning about real life society
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