Empathic Civilization

I am very concerned about the direction we are heading as a species. I realize it has a little to do with the fact we are in such financially challenging and uncertain times. In times like this we are in a state of heightened awareness and are looking for answers, or maybe even something or someone to blame.

With our brains in this anxious state the fear mongers have a captive audience. The extremists on all sides take advantage during these times. They are driving a wedge between the various groups and cultures and it appears we are heading down a road of no return. Groups are becoming polarized and seem unable and unwilling to find a mutual middle ground.

Whether it is about a Mosque in downtown Manhattan, illegal immigrants, abortion, the Obama health care reforms, same sex marriage, or how to fight a supposed “War on Terror”, rhetoric is escalating to a dangerous level. I am even seeing it in my own world. I post things in my blog and on my Facebook page to provoke discussion but it seems some people are so anxious they don’t know how to deal with my posts.

I am looking for a discussion on the topics I post but I’m beginning to see that a number of people don’t know how to have a discussion. A discussion is about the free and open exchange of ideas. No one is right and no one is wrong but we posit our thoughts for the other to ponder. Some people in these trying times seem to be looking for resolution based on their opinion. If you don’t see their point of view they resort to character assassination of the author. Some have been very abusive to me. Others reviewing the posts have been just as surprised as I at the attacks on me personally.

I am not looking to insult, berate anyone, or make light of anyone’s plight in life. I am completely sensitive to others misfortunes and personal experiences in life. I have even made light of my own relationship experiences to try to put people at ease and let them know I understand where they are coming from. This just ended in comments that I was looking for someone to feel sorry for “me”. What if I had turned this on the individuals criticizing me and made the same comments regarding their personal plights. Imagine a man telling a woman that had been abused in a relationship that she should just suck it up and stop feeling sorry for her self. I think the entire internet community would have castrated me. Why the double standard…

I just feel there are some important ideas that demand “discussion” to avoid the downfall of our society. If we don’t have fair and true open discussion of the important issues that face us in the coming years we are facing a serious problem. This IS the time for the empathic civilization I am hoping to live in. Please people…understand and see the terrible times that confront us as we move toward the next millennia.