Posted by Dinah on April 4, 2006, at 9:34:11
In reply to Re: blocked for 2 weeks » Dinah, posted by special_k on April 4, 2006, at 4:40:43
I never think of it as mental gymnastics. Just as respect for others. If you can find a copy, I highly recommend "Choosing Civility". ClearSkies recommended it, and it does a wonderful job of conveying why civility is far more than merely a mental game or a surface politeness. I haven't gotten very far in the book, but I really like what I see so far. I admire Dr. Bob for trying to promote such a wonderful concept on the board. Think of the peace that could come if everyone embraced civility as a way of life, as a way of thinking about others.
Because that's really what it is. Sometimes things seem silly. Like I used to love Star and National Enquirer, and when I heard Dr. Laura fussing about gossip, I really didn't understand the big deal. I didn't know these people. I couldn't hurt them. But when I thought about the overall picture, I understood. I still have a very long way to go on that, because I'm frequently embarassed and ashamed about popping my mouth off about my mother and brother. I don't know what that's about because I'm always resolving to do better.
I'm tired of saying it about the politics board. But I just think of the world and how much better it would be if people would start out with a respect for their "opponent" or at least the assumption of respect, acknowledged mutual points of agreement, and then worked to resolve the differences. Or at least with the intention of concentrating on putting forth their own positive ideas about how the world should be best run, instead of concentrating on the awful ideas others have or the deficits in their characters.
Sometimes I think if we can't do it here on Babble where we supposedly care about one another (even Bush supporters - I don't consider myself one, but I care about posters who may consider themselves one), how can it be done in the world? And then I get very discouraged.
And yet, I still hold out hope for civility.
Really, if you can, try to find "Choosing Civility". I obviously don't say it well enough.
(Figured it would be better to change the subject line.)
poster:Dinah
thread:628449
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060317/msgs/628615.html