Is society becoming polarized?

[Bruce Wayne]

I jotted down some thoughts on my blog earlier as it seems to me that society is becoming polarized, be it Tory v Labour supporters, cyclists v motorists, public sector v private sector.

What do you think? Are our views becoming increasingly entrenched and ourselves increasingly intolerant of that which is different?

 

[Frank Drebin]

I think tolerance of other's that are different is probably as high as it has ever been. Integration of different cultures within our society has led to a greater understanding and acceptance. Legislation has been changed to include gay marriage whereas only a generation ago sodomy was illegal. Use of racist language and discrimination is regarded as unacceptable.
The country is broke, people are nervous and frustrated about what the future holds, people get desperate when their livelihood is at stake.

 

[somuchfun]

Did I tell you that I own a polar bear rug?

 

[paulbefc]

I reckon this is true. Many people I know, myself included, don't even want to air their political views anymore because it just causes tension. Anyone voting Tory, in the eyes of a labour voter is a selfish uber capitalist looking to plunder every last penny out of the poor and every labour voter is a crackpot socialist who can't move with the times in the eyes of Tory voters. Or at least that's my experience. It just saves trouble to keep things to yourself.

I believe the media plays a part to be honest. People need to get out more, off the computers, and see things for themselves and form their educated opinions rather than listening to what the first "expert" on the subject or the gobsh*tes on the comment pages on the guardian or the mail have to say. Those views are highlighted because they're often extreme and controversial for a reason. Either they're news worthy or they're attention seeking. Either way they have a profound long term effect on people's mindsets, I believe.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

I jotted down some thoughts on my blog earlier as it seems to me that society is becoming polarized, be it Tory v Labour supporters, cyclists v motorists, public sector v private sector.

What do you think? Are our views becoming increasingly entrenched and ourselves increasingly intolerant of that which is different?

Not so well off v well off

Struggling v I'm alright Jack

Can't afford a pension v Gonna get a nice public service one

Common sense, dignity and truth v Li'pooFudballKchlublaaaaa

 

[somuchfun]

Isn't polarization needed for people to get active politically? The last few decades have been really passive in that sense so it might be a decent change if people are arsed again. Besides it's global recession and everything is going to **** so why not whine and argue.

 

[Sid James]

I don't think that this is a new thing Bruce, Society at large has long had its divisions. The fact that we only really have two (co-alition aside) Mainstream political parties lends argument to this.

Good blog by the way

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It just got me thinking though, coz with the web and a gazillion tv channels we're led to believe that we have all of this cultural diversity and it's manna from heaven for anyone with intellectual curiosity. Yet it seems that so many of us merely seek out things we already agree with. To use a political angle for instance do right wingers regularly read the Guardian or the New Statesman? Do left wingers pick up the Telegraph or the Economist? I'm not sure.

Likewise with culture. I agree with Frank in the sense that we are probably as multicultural as we've ever been, yet if I walk around London there doesn't seem to be a great deal of intermingling. Bangladeshi's head to Old Street for instance. Elephant & Castle has a strong Latin American and African feel to it. The white folks head to Dulwich or Highgate. Southall is heavily Asian. So are people really mixing or are there lots of different cultures in London all inhabiting small chunks of the capital with others from the same part of the world?

Seems like so many want to view the world as black or white when in reality it's so often a shade of gray. Maybe it's just melancholy at nearly being knocked off my bike again. Who knows.

 

[Frank Drebin]

I suppose integration is a gradual process. London is a huge metropolis and I could imagine different cultures developing their own communities. When I lived in Wolverhampton though I knocked around with lots of Sikhs and muslims and it didn't feel like a "them and us environment," it is a true integrated community.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Seems like so many want to view the world as black or white when in reality it's so often a shade of gray. Maybe it's just melancholy at nearly being knocked off my bike again. Who knows.

Hope you have the number for that private ambulance in your phone mate, don't want you getting picked up by 1 of those NHS Jallopies by mistake.

There have always been divisions in society, over many different subjects, the main problem is intolerance of others, be it views, situation etc. the word selfish would very often fit into the equation. Nobody thinks that anyone should get something if they aren't getting it, you will find that those at the bottom of the scale are far more tolerant of those at the top than vice versa. An example being the current public sector disputes....

There has been stuff said in recent years (re: the non pub sec.) regarding upping retirement ages, nothing in the pot for state pensions, pay freezes, redundancies etc etc.
Not a peep from NHS, Teachers etc
Now that it's about to affect them there is outcry and the expectation that everyone else should support them, because now they aren't alright Jack.

You will find that a great many support their right to strike, but are a bit unsure about if they agree with what they are striking for, but still support their right to take industrial action anyway.

Now when the strikes were in Industry etc. and usually regarding saving jobs, was the same support given that is now being requested ?

 

[Muggins]

I jotted down some thoughts on my blog earlier as it seems to me that society is becoming polarized, be it Tory v Labour supporters, cyclists v motorists, public sector v private sector.

What do you think? Are our views becoming increasingly entrenched and ourselves increasingly intolerant of that which is different?

I do read your blog still from time to time mate.

It's a sign of the digital times I think Bruce. Everyone can now have a say via social networks, forums, etc.

This means that everyone is classified as either for or against something, when nothing should be that simple. I have no shame in admitting I sit on the fence in most subjects as it's the least clouded view.

I've watched nearly every documentary Adam Curtis has made, and the most common running theme in his most recent interviews outside of the documentaries are how social networking has given people power to rise up and be heard.

Yet when presented with this freedom to overthrow governments and using it, they don't have a clue what to do next. All the time and effort went into organisation and support. Once that was achieved, people were unprepared and often fall into the same mistakes as the previous regime.

That's my main issue with society. You'd think we are all running with our eyes closed.

"Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas..."

Whereas it's inevitable that individuals will be discussed in day to day life, and you may talk to someone about somewhere you went or something you did, how many great ideas have we all discussed together so far this week...???

By all means, i'm not having a go at anyone out there, but check this theory across the entire internet and you'd probably get a picture of what people are using their brains for on a daily basis.

Good thread though Bruce.

Watch it bomb into oblivion though as the 'Tram Racist' fire thread continues to burn like the olympic torch...

 

[Blue 1]

People cling to what they know when things get a bit tough.

""Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas..." That's a nice quote.

 

[Blue 1]

I suppose integration is a gradual process. London is a huge metropolis and I could imagine different cultures developing their own communities. When I lived in Wolverhampton though I knocked around with lots of Sikhs and muslims and it didn't feel like a "them and us environment," it is a true integrated community.

I used to feel like that in Northampton.

 

[Sid James]

I think one place in which true diversity exists, is in the workplace. My company employs people from all backgrounds, races, colours and nationalities. Admittedly they have no option but to work together. That said, with the odd closet racist aside, the balance works well and team spirit is a strong as ever. The bonds formed at work can and often do lead to longer lasting friendships. I'm very good friends with a Muslim Lady at work, if it wasn't for the fact we worked together we probably wouldn't have become mates. The fact that She's extremely pretty with big brown eyes and massive norks is purely coincidental to the forging of our friendship

Whilst its good that we mix, mingle and adopt things from other cultures its also important to retain your identity but not the extent of excluding new influences

IMO, you're only limiting your own experiences if you reject all cultures but your own, I love to learn from others about the way they live their lives, their books, their music, art and food etc ... except for Kopites, they can do one

 

[Muggins]

People cling to what they know when things get a bit tough.

""Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas..." That's a nice quote.

Not sure where it came from originally, google suggests Eleanor Roosevelt is credited for it, but i think i read it in the Art Of War as well.