The Inquisitr - Latest Comments in In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

John — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:57:57 -0000

Thanks Kirasha. I knew there were some of us out there.

Here's one of my loud squeaks from moderatedom- Eliminate "slippery slope" arguments in political debates. It's the hollow argument both extremes make against what is otherwise an acceptable compromise.

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

kirasha — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:44:39 -0000

I think I have to agree with John. When they're screaming to the left of you and shouting to the right of you, it's difficult to be heard. Doesn't mean you're gone, just that no one's paying attention because your wheel isn't squeaking as loudly as the other two.

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

John — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:25:46 -0000

I don't think moderates are a dying breed, we're just quieter then the extremists to our left and right.

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

hallac — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:34:33 -0000

Woody Allen did a TV special in the late 60s where he interviewed Billy Graham (yes, that Billy Graham). If you haven't seen it already I suggest you watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iAaxOAHCM

What strikes me the most about this video is not just how cordial they are with one another, but also how accepting they are to agree to disagree. You really don't see it anymore.

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

nigelecccles — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:43:28 -0000

I totally agree that a lot of the current digital triumphalism is unsightly. The media industry is in chaos because of rapid technology change not because they make dumb decisions all the time (although they do sometimes make dumb decisions, as do start-ups).

I'm not sure if I agree that moderates are a dying breed. If the political was really polarising surely we would have Thompson and Edwards as the presidential candidates.

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

rizzn — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:05:11 -0000

Spot on with a lot of what you're saying here, and your comments on Old v. New Media resonate with me.

Our terminology (like in many things in our corner of tech) continues to get muddled, and it's hard to distinguish the method vs the organizational type, and which one will die, how and why.

Re: In a polarized society, will moderate viewpoints die?

gregorylent — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:46:04 -0000

the good thing in the world of spin and polarized viewpoinst .. people are being forced to find a higher reality