Social experimentation

For the last several days, I've been conducting a social experiment using social media. I'm afraid the outcome doesn't say much about our society.

The posed question was if we can still conduct human discourse over issues. For my efforts, I've been called a poopy-head.

Okay, no one used those exact words. But it seemed the direction most wanted to go and tried to drag me.

The recent past was chosen because an election fell in those days. I'll admit the sample was only my 160 or so "friends" on Facebook. And not all of those likely had a chance to view my enticements. I stated a viewpoint on issues or outcomes and waited to see how others responded. To be honest, I didn't always believe the stances I took. But they were meant to inspire response. They ranged from health care to defense and into taxation.

For the purposes of discussion, I'm using progressive (which I find arrogant for a bunch that is as stalled as their counterparts) and conservative labels here because I do believe the current major parties have pretty much made themselves indistinguishable and irrelevant when it comes to issues.

I found that when I tried to get response on an issue or got debate, it was most often schoolyard. I don't completely blame the respondents. This is the current methodology. Call names, point fingers, regurgitate slanted "facts" and play to stereotypes.
* "I won't stop being sick until Obama is gone." No policy reason.
*"We have to throw out the Democrats ruining the budget." No response on what programs to cut that will make a meaningful dent.
* "Pelosi is an idiot." Although I didn't disagree, no action that indicates such was proffered as evidence.
* "Obamacare must be repealed." No one could tell me what horrible impact proves this (since it has yet to be implemented) or an idea of how to make health care work so the poor don't drain the system and die needlessly.

There were a few who when asked to (1) prove it, and (2) offer solutions, actually gave it a shot. But even some intelligent and well considered answers always contained a stereotype or attempt at slander. Unfortunately, most never went any farther than repeating when some radio or television pundit had said in the last 45 days without giving credit. When asked for back up, I was told I could "look it up for myself" or given a reference that had a kernel of truth that had been twisted into a cornfield of conspiracy.

Does anyone think anymore?

I caught some a bit off guard, and was complimented for it at times. I tried not to belittle opinions based on facts. There were times people made their point intelligently and I admitted I simply disagreed with the philosophy but accepted their logic. When pressed, I offered solutions to some problems that were more middle of the road than standard progressive.

But here was the fact I found most fascinating. I know some of it is because of the outcome of those ongoing elections. But it's a trend I'd seen before I conducted my little experiment. Every conversation I had, every post by another that gave me a chance to move into a different genre, was me vs. a conservative element. They responded, they posted, they fought back.

Not once did another of a progressive viewpoint add to my argument. I got personal notes encouraging me to keep fighting. But not once did anyone else actually speak up.

I believe we have absolutely no chance in this nation until we can say I think this because of this, this and this. And have all the "this" be concrete facts instead of fear and conjecture. We have no opportunity for such conversation when one side sits silent unwilling to both talk and listen.

My great hope has always been that what we hear most is the severe minority. That reality lies somewhere right in the middle. But people are swayed by the screaming on the ends. We just might have a big majority willing and able to go somewhere if we could hear and process the reality behind the emotion of everything going on right now.

But the Facebook I've seen is of millions with mouths open and ears and minds shut.