Calvin and Hobbes are walking along and Calvin is saying:
"Doesn't it seem like everybody just shouts at each other nowadays?
"I think it's because conflict is drama, drama is entertaining, and
entertainment is marketable.
"Finding consensus and common ground is dull! Nobody wants to watch a
civilized discussion that acknowledges ambiguity and complexity. We want
to see fireworks!
"We want a sense of solidarity and identity that comes from having our
interests narrowed and exploited by like-minded zealots!
"Talk show hosts, political candidates, news programs, special interest
groups...They all become successful by reducing debates to the level of
shouted rage. Nothing gets solved. But we're all entertained. "
Hobbes [the toy tiger] says: Hmm, you may be right."
They walk along some more. Final panel: What a boring day THIS turned out
to be!
Ahh, the comic strips. You never know what wisdom you might find.
-- John Woods jwoods@execpc.com