It appears that we have reached a critical juncture.

The fundamental structures that underpin the liberalism of Western cultures are splitting apart. The longer term experiment of liberalism, which was so successful at stripping away the more constrictive elements of social control, has simultaneously eroded away the cohesive elements of social responsibility and communal interdependence at a local level. These have been replaced by new communities and new practices which do not focus on the unity of geography. In the internet age, a person can be more connected with someone half way across the world than with their neighbour. A reality that is simultaneously wonderful and problematic. Wonderful because people can find communities of like minded individuals, problematic because these people have little realistic impact upon each other where life actually happens, in the physical world. As a consequence thought becomes boxed into simple narratives based on separate spheres and echo chambers which limit the ability to understand differing views or the people that exist outside of our own spheres.

This is not healthy, but there are some simple solutions…

Speech

The freedom to speak is essential to thought, this means all speech, even the things you may find offensive, hateful or despicable.

This shouldn’t be a controversial statement. At all.

Speech is the oldest form of communication. It forms the basis of our understanding, it is cheap, it is easy and it is most assuredly the best way to understand motivations, views and personalities outside of our own. But speech doesn’t just mean that we just speak. It means communicating, listening to other perspectives and attempting to understand how these perspectives have been formed. It means fostering the speech of others, including those who may not have a loud voice. 

In a world where your focus is pulled from one thing to another, the importance of not restricting speech is paramount, the challenge is engaging with people on a personal level, moving outside of our spheres to listen and to learn. Everyone from every walk of life can afford to do this, myself included, because when we allow speech we learn to engage, we moderate ourselves to enhance our effectiveness and meet those we disagree with in the middle. Social media harms and enhances our ability to do this because it provides the opportunity to talk with people outside of our own spheres. However because conversations are taking place outside of the physical space it also encourages the worst elements of our own nature to come forth. This is a problem, but hiding away from views we disagree with is not a solution, nor is silencing these views, because this will just further entrench the those who need to engage with others outside of their own sphere.

Reflection

Speech can often lead to more speech, louder speech and eventually conflict. This does not mean that we should stop speaking, listening or engaging. It means that we must try to reflect on our own thoughts to determine where we as individuals can improve our understanding of the world. The most dangerous state of being is the abject belief that you are right, that your thought is without flaw, that your ideas and ideals are superior. This is a not a simple belief that you are correct, or even existing in a state of faith. It is the clear certainty that you exist in a state of moral superiority. It is the absence of all doubt.

To be with your own thoughts, to exist purely in the physical sphere and to allow the time to engage with yourself and with your experience is scary, particularly in the modern age where interactions, even in our work lives, are moving away from the physical. Taking the time, to sit, reflect and engage with your thoughts, to test them and question them will help refine them and improve how you express them around others. Removing media (social or news), from the routine tasks in your life and relegating it to a once a day task may help you find the time to engage with yourself or your family, to write your novel or read one, to grow your garden or improve your mind.

Acceptance

While we can apply rules to ourselves, we cannot apply them to others. We can’t force someone else to think as we do. Even if you break a person down and rebuild them as you wish, you will find that the kernel of their own thoughts still exist. So what do we do?

There are really only two real options when it comes to the freedom of thought, ideas and individuality. You can either destroy the people that you disagree with or you can accept that their views will differ from your own. “Oh,” you might say, “but I am only destroying the hateful and the dangerous!” By what right? Are you so righteous that you can cast the first stone? If you do, what makes you better than the hateful or the dangerous? No, acceptance is the way for any person who believes in freedom, even if that means accepting that some wish to take away that freedom. That doesn’t mean you can’t defend yourself, your rights or freedoms but the essence of acceptance is the belief that we argue with the idea, the person behind that idea is no less a person just because you might be angry with them.

Finally

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Thought should not be a burden, it should be enjoyed. So if you’re not enjoying your thoughts take a break, step outside yourself and let the world continue on without you for a little while, it will still be here when you get back.