De-Humanization of America

[GoodSpeak]

I thought this might be a new direction to go: Where do we place the blame for the systematic de-humanizing of people here in America?

TV/movie Media?

Internet?

Poor/non-existent parenting?

Materialism?

Politics?

You are free to vote for more than one choice.

[Pete C]

I think you first have to explain what you mean by "systematic dehumanization."

[GoodSpeak]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I think you first have to explain what you mean by "systematic dehumanization."

Good point.

What I am referring to is the inherent flaw of any human made system or continuance or what have you to try and change the way people would otherwise believe.

In all of the items I listed there is a persuasion piece that goes along with it. Unfortunately, we have become a single-issue/sound byte society and people, by whatever means, tend to over-focus on their particular issue.

To disagree is not a part of the systems we create. Disagreement is systematically demonized or shunned in favor of congruency. It seems now that people will stop at nothing to either change your thinking or treat you like a leper. Or, more to the point, they will dehumanize you so that they can balance in their own minds the lack of perceived cooperation with their ideology/issue.

Acceptance of change or of our differences is, therefore, incongruent and people are castigated or systematically shunned until they believe as the people doing the persuading want you to.



Make sense?

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Takes one to know one.

[GoodSpeak]

C'mon, SDC Steve.


That wasn't a fair thing to say.

[GoodSpeak]

Let me clarify:

There is nothing wrong with attempting to persuade somebody to change.


The problem lies in how we deal with the inbalance. Do we accept the difference/agree to disagree? Or do we bring completely unrelated issues and insult into the situation in order that we might somehow right the perceived "wrong" thinking.

This is part and parcel of dehumanization: When we choose to forget that the person we disagree with is, in fact, a human being, we have [IMHO] lost sight of why we tried to persuade that person in the first place-to make them a better person.

[tippy]

The social construction of race.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Originally Posted by GoodSpeak

C'mon, SDC Steve.


That wasn't a fair thing to say.

Humans, I meant. Humans.

[GoodSpeak]

Fair enough



As a human, I make these same mistakes on occasion myself.



Nobody's perfect.

[tippy]

the colonists' treatment of the Native Americans. Colonization in general, I suppose, justified by the colonists' superiority.

[Sergio Zamora]

Originally Posted by GoodSpeak

Make sense?

It would if you were explaining the word 'intolerance'. Otherwise, no.

[GoodSpeak]

It is based upon the Congruency Theory, Omar.

We often balance issues in our minds by diminishing things, philosophies or people we strongly disagree with. Hence, we de-humanize the offending person; as if they don't really matter and that it is OK, then, to hate them or ignore them or demonize them.

History tells us that we, as a Nation, do this on a regular basis when we are at war, for example. It is how we justify killing our enemies....they aren't really human or worthwhile so it's OK.

It was the same with the Nazis in WWII as it is now with Iranians/terrorists.




Besides, intolerance is de-humanization, in large part.

[Captain Hate]

How can a poll that asks for the biggest reason allow more than one answer? Did they change the definition of a superlative while I wasn't looking?

[GoodSpeak]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

How can a poll that asks for the biggest reason allow more than one answer? Did they change the definition of a superlative while I wasn't looking?

The concept would be that there may be more than one consideration.


Giving the option to chose is not in conflict with the original question. It does not say there is only one reason why, it merely asks what the biggest reason is after which it is qualified to mean you may, if you wish to, choose a combination.


Tell me, Hate...is "orchestra" a plural or a singular? Both?



The "biggest reason" maybe because of a combination [singular] of issues. It may also be because of a singular reason. The point, my friend, is to bring into scope the reality that many things may cause a singular experience.


This is why I gave the option to choose.

[GoodSpeak]

If that explaination doesn't work for you...then choose just one. OK?

It makes little difference other then the fact it is your own take on the issue.


Language is a concept, not a definition.

[sonic1]

I don't see anything humanizing about the past.

Taking a look at how people used to treat each other throughout history does not suggest we have de-humanized (I won't even start about the definition of "humanizing").

People used to be hung in streets a lot more regularly than now. People were publicly skined alive, burned alive...a lot of terrible things, just for being suspected a witch or pissing off the wrong person.

This goes on nowadays too, but you can actually find a lot of safe places in the world-much more so than any other time in history.

De-humanization?

At what time in history have we ever been so well off as humans, so concerned with others? At least nowadays people attempt to stop genocide (even if the attempt is often half-assed).




So shut up you whiney ass bitch. Nobody cares about what you think.












(Goodie, I am just kidding, don't cry)

[stonemonkts]

Originally Posted by sonic1

I
At what time in history have we ever been so well off as humans, so concerned with others?

[Gary Sisco]

Subject-verb agreement!

"Politics" is a singular noun. Therefore, it is "politics is" not "politics are."

[tippy]

Manifest Destiny

[GoodSpeak]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Subject-verb agreement!

"Politics" is a singular noun. Therefore, it is "politics is" not "politics are."

Not always...it depends on the useage or implied intent.


pol·i·tics n.

1. (used with a sing. verb)
The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs.
Political science.

2. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
The activities or affairs engaged in by a government, politician, or political party: “All politics is local” (Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.). “Politics have appealed to me since I was at Oxford because they are exciting morning, noon, and night” (Jeffrey Archer).

3. The methods or tactics involved in managing a state or government: The politics of the former regime were rejected by the new government leadership. If the politics of the conservative government now borders on the repressive, what can be expected when the economy falters?

4. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Political life: studied law with a view to going into politics; felt that politics was a worthwhile career.

5. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Intrigue or maneuvering within a political unit or group in order to gain control or power: Partisan politics is often an obstruction to good government. Office politics are often debilitating and counterproductive.

6. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Political attitudes and positions: His politics on that issue is his own business. Your politics are clearly more liberal than mine.

7. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The often internally conflicting interrelationships among people in a society.


Usage Note: Politics, although plural in form, takes a singular verb when used to refer to the art or science of governing or to political science: Politics has been a concern of philosophers since Plato. But in its other senses politics can take either a singular or plural verb. Many other nouns that end in -ics behave similarly, and the user is advised to consult specific entries for precise information.


Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

[tippy]

so that's where the white noise comes from.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Who says America's been de-humanized? Has there been some period of enlightenment to compare with? Some better time when America was more "human"?

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

Who says America's been de-humanized? Has there been some period of enlightenment to compare with? Some better time when America was more "human"?

Narratives of cultural/societal decline go back to the beginning of civilization. "Different" time is often imagined nostalgically as "better" time.

[Dr Dave]

Goodie is so strange. He builds a buzz saw, then he walks right into it.

I could go for a little dehumanization, myself. In particular, I'm sick of businesspeople who want a "relationship" with me. I don't want to date my banker, I just want him to keep his accounts straight. I don't want a hug from the grocer, I want good stuff at low prices. And most of all, I don't want to be buddies with BellSouth. I just want to be able to decipher my fucking phone bill.

[Enforcer]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

I don't want a hug from the grocer, I want good stuff at low prices.

[stonemonkts]

. . .and then again, on second thought. (rimshot)

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

[sonic1]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Goodie is so strange. He builds a buzz saw, then he walks right into it.

I could go for a little dehumanization, myself. In particular, I'm sick of businesspeople who want a "relationship" with me. I don't want to date my banker, I just want him to keep his accounts straight. I don't want a hug from the grocer, I want good stuff at low prices. And most of all, I don't want to be buddies with BellSouth. I just want to be able to decipher my fucking phone bill.

Let is out dave. We are here for you. It's ok. You are with people who care about you.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Goodie is so strange. He builds a buzz saw, then he walks right into it.

I could go for a little dehumanization, myself. In particular, I'm sick of businesspeople who want a "relationship" with me. I don't want to date my banker, I just want him to keep his accounts straight. I don't want a hug from the grocer, I want good stuff at low prices. And most of all, I don't want to be buddies with BellSouth. I just want to be able to decipher my fucking phone bill.

And, above all, I don't want total strangers, either soliciting my business or providing a service for me to first-name me, unless I tell them they can do so. This habit salespeople and other day to day business people have of affecting a pseudo-intimacy by using my first name, from the get-go drives me nuts. In short.......STOP IT!!!

Putting this in a political context, just how close friends do you think that Mr Bush is with "Vladimir", "Tony", and the other people he goes a step further than that, and almost immediately favours with a silly nickname??