Responsible Thinking

I'm sure I'm going to post about this particular aspect of Responsible Speech from time to time, because I believe Responsible Thinking is so critical to Responsible Speech.   What do I mean?

When we make rash generalizations, the kind that sound like slogans and give us the feel of "us" verses "them," we are often speaking without thinking.  It is easy to do that in an atmosphere of parties and factions feeling they have to "prove" their side is "right."  I grew up in an Italian family, and the sense of having to speak with the loudest and most aggressive voice in order to be "heard" was common.  I know that Italians don't have the market on that kind of thing, and we have something similar in our culture of pundit-based, passionate rhetoric.

Here is an example of a phrase that, I believe, has not been totally thought through (OK, here comes the controversy!!!):  The "liberal media."  There are some ways that the "liberal media" is actually quite conservative.  I remember the G.W. Bush years, when political correctness even steered radio stations like NPR toward conservative, fearful speech.  To me, it was a revelation to hear someone claim that a bastion of what is considered the "liberal media" had a lot of centrist and even conservative commentary.  Was it as "right" as many conservatives are comfortable with?  No.  But it may not be as "liberal" as those who label it so think.

Right now, I'm sure you may be asking for an example, and that will be another post.  I'm going to be listening closely for examples in the next few days, and I encourage you to also.  I would also welcome any educated commentary about what are truly "liberal" points of view. I would also welcome your supporting your arguments and positions to indicate "responsible thinking"  is behind your views.  In other words, I would rather not have replies that over-generalize and are looking merely to prove they are "right" or "wrong."  One aspect of Responsible Speech is being able to dialog in a safe space for the sake of learning from one another, not just proving a point.

Looking forward to replies!