Thank you for this piece! I find it disconcerting that so many who supported "queering the norms" are now up in arms when the social norms related to the Presidency are affected. "Oh, we didn't mean THOSE norms (unless we decide to change them of course)".
If you don't think social norms are important, this is where we end up. Social norms provide guidance on individual and group behaviour and are key to maintaining a successful society.
Having said that, I don't think what Trump is doing is unique or new, just how he's doing it (openly and brazenly; this is his big breech of Presidential norms).
I recall reading an article a while back where a Democrat political strategist (I recall) was asked about the biggest hurdle to getting a Democrat elected as President. His response was: Obama and Clinton. Seems voters notice when you step into the Oval Office upper middle class and step away a multi-millionaire on a $400K or so annual salary.
The left didn't take power by tone policing their radicals, and the right won't either.
If you want to give the conservative movement a Christmas present, DM someone on the right you think is too extreme, and offer to go for a drink with them IRL or, if they are anons, go on their podcast. Then have a real conversation, where you actually listen to what they are saying and engage with it.
Because I bet they would listen to what you are saying.
My first reaction to your piece was to say " yah but what about ". But in the spirit of the time of year, I am giving you this one, and grudgingly say that I mostly agree..🙄
Great writing. I think it’s high time our governments got a better handle on what needs to be regulated and disincentivized and what could use less of it. Social media is damaging our civility and our minds. We all know the story by now. Australia has taken a brave leadership position and Canada should follow their lead. And please Matt, never apologize or suggest that some readers may be unhappy with your opinions on this or that. Your readers are not a monolith and when you or your commenters make me angry it’s a learning, thinking growing process. Keep bringing us all the news that’s fit to print. If we lose that as a society, well, that’s a huge problem. The extreme polarization that’s rocking democracies in the EU is certainly contributed to by those who consume nothing but free news through their social media feeds.
A highly amusing post! But, Mr. McDougall, you were director of communications for Mr. Harper, a time I seem to recall of excruciating bordom in communications! Imagine how much more interesting that time period would have been had you been allowed to actually, you know, communicate!
What an amazing piece. For some time I've wondered what has changed about our culture or the current environment we live in that explains the overall malaise. A kind of root cause to the slow unraveling of our society. I believe the author nails it. I still remember the 90s where we innocently believed that the free access to information that the internet would deliver would be the greatest thing for society. Turns out it became the greatest control tool for dictatorships and the pure krypronite, albeit slow acting kryptonite, for democracies.
There's a lyric from a Limp Bizkit song from the year 2000,'Take A Look Around,' that sets the stage for what was to come in social media. "Now I know why you want to hate me, because hate is all the world has ever seen lately." It's so true. And I try to focus my attention on 'influencers' who somehow aren't very present on social media yet stand against the rising tide. They're still not that hard to find.
For me, I try to remember that those whose politics I disagree with are still fellow citizens. Not the enemy. A time might well come where we have a real enemy with designs on the north, resources, etc.
Agreed. There's a great quote from Molly Ivins I've always remembered.
"When politicians start talking about large groups of their fellow Americans as 'enemies,' it's time for a quiet stir of alertness. Polarizing people is a good way to win an election, and also a good way to wreck a country."
She wrote that about 25 yrs ago. No longer applies just to politicians - we all need to keep this in mind. :-)
Ah, Andrew... Do you know David French? You sound like a never-Trumper!
We're in a war for our survival and I refuse to abide by a standard that my enemies do not even acknowledge. As the Greeks observed, Necessity trumps Philosophy!
Can't add much to that. Fingers crossed Santa!
Thank you for this piece! I find it disconcerting that so many who supported "queering the norms" are now up in arms when the social norms related to the Presidency are affected. "Oh, we didn't mean THOSE norms (unless we decide to change them of course)".
If you don't think social norms are important, this is where we end up. Social norms provide guidance on individual and group behaviour and are key to maintaining a successful society.
Having said that, I don't think what Trump is doing is unique or new, just how he's doing it (openly and brazenly; this is his big breech of Presidential norms).
I recall reading an article a while back where a Democrat political strategist (I recall) was asked about the biggest hurdle to getting a Democrat elected as President. His response was: Obama and Clinton. Seems voters notice when you step into the Oval Office upper middle class and step away a multi-millionaire on a $400K or so annual salary.
Excellent point Linda !!
I think this applies to Canada in a few cases.
Thanks
" the information economy is actually a derivatives market in which we trade on our reactions to information"
Great line!
The left didn't take power by tone policing their radicals, and the right won't either.
If you want to give the conservative movement a Christmas present, DM someone on the right you think is too extreme, and offer to go for a drink with them IRL or, if they are anons, go on their podcast. Then have a real conversation, where you actually listen to what they are saying and engage with it.
Because I bet they would listen to what you are saying.
Fair comment
Let us know how it goes!
Why is MacDougall still droning on about Trump?
My first reaction to your piece was to say " yah but what about ". But in the spirit of the time of year, I am giving you this one, and grudgingly say that I mostly agree..🙄
Great writing. I think it’s high time our governments got a better handle on what needs to be regulated and disincentivized and what could use less of it. Social media is damaging our civility and our minds. We all know the story by now. Australia has taken a brave leadership position and Canada should follow their lead. And please Matt, never apologize or suggest that some readers may be unhappy with your opinions on this or that. Your readers are not a monolith and when you or your commenters make me angry it’s a learning, thinking growing process. Keep bringing us all the news that’s fit to print. If we lose that as a society, well, that’s a huge problem. The extreme polarization that’s rocking democracies in the EU is certainly contributed to by those who consume nothing but free news through their social media feeds.
A highly amusing post! But, Mr. McDougall, you were director of communications for Mr. Harper, a time I seem to recall of excruciating bordom in communications! Imagine how much more interesting that time period would have been had you been allowed to actually, you know, communicate!
I, for one, really miss boredom in communications. JG
MAKE EARTH BORING AGAIN! (Thank you for your attention to this matter)
What an amazing piece. For some time I've wondered what has changed about our culture or the current environment we live in that explains the overall malaise. A kind of root cause to the slow unraveling of our society. I believe the author nails it. I still remember the 90s where we innocently believed that the free access to information that the internet would deliver would be the greatest thing for society. Turns out it became the greatest control tool for dictatorships and the pure krypronite, albeit slow acting kryptonite, for democracies.
God speed Santa is right
There's a lyric from a Limp Bizkit song from the year 2000,'Take A Look Around,' that sets the stage for what was to come in social media. "Now I know why you want to hate me, because hate is all the world has ever seen lately." It's so true. And I try to focus my attention on 'influencers' who somehow aren't very present on social media yet stand against the rising tide. They're still not that hard to find.
For me, I try to remember that those whose politics I disagree with are still fellow citizens. Not the enemy. A time might well come where we have a real enemy with designs on the north, resources, etc.
Agreed. There's a great quote from Molly Ivins I've always remembered.
"When politicians start talking about large groups of their fellow Americans as 'enemies,' it's time for a quiet stir of alertness. Polarizing people is a good way to win an election, and also a good way to wreck a country."
She wrote that about 25 yrs ago. No longer applies just to politicians - we all need to keep this in mind. :-)
Accurate. 100%
Ah, Andrew... Do you know David French? You sound like a never-Trumper!
We're in a war for our survival and I refuse to abide by a standard that my enemies do not even acknowledge. As the Greeks observed, Necessity trumps Philosophy!
We certainly live in interesting times!
Comment deleted for being shallow personal attack. JG
Looks like another juvenile statement from the FarLeft extremes of the CBC crowd.