A Marketplace of Echos?

1. Is it true that the human race has a "tendency toward homophily"? Do most of us seek out others like us to reach a certain comfort zone?

2. Does Aristotle's In Rhetoric still hold true in today's society and the way we try to get our opinions across? Is the Pathos approach overused today when an argument presents itself?

3. What is the absolute path to truth and knowledge? Is having "just enough diversity" really the answer? Or are we truly becoming a one-sided society?


Now a days it seems everyone has an opinion about everything!! I get constant Facebook posts about things I would never even dream of having an opinion about. Whether it be about a certain sport, a political issue or even about how to take care of a pet; I see a steadily growing trend in STRONGLY and AGRESSIVELY voicing one's opinion. This is fine and dandy with me. I happen to be an incredibly open minded person. I believe that because of the First Amendment to the Constitution which states (and I like to remind people of this constantly): "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the FREEDOM OF SPEECH, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances"; this is a right stated by our founding Fathers that as Americans, we can express however we feel. If I don't like what someone is saying, I stop and calmly process it. Only then do I make my opinion without bashing them for making theirs. But is having "just enough diversity" going to help in others to see why I agree or disagree with them? This was the main point that I gathered Weinberger was trying to make. He seemed to be using several main studies and facts to show us that we as a society are not fully accepting of diversity. That too many arguments and debates arise over the simplest of topics. I loved when he stated; "It seems we love diversity until we see what it actually looks like". I don't think this comment could have been any more true. This is why my third question is what I'd like to discuss further.

I recently became full aware of how strongly people still feel about race. Diversity can also be classified and tied to racial diversity and how others react. My boyfriend TJ, of three years, is black and I am white. Whenever we go out we still get funny looks. We laugh and blow it off but racism is still quite prevalent. We were reading an article last night about a recent interview with Morgan Freeman and how he thinks that National Black History month is not worth celebrating for most African Americans. My guy stated that as a black man he agrees. Freeman stated that all other races don't have a month so why do the African Americans have to have one? I agree with him. Every day should be an American history day. No race should have just one month to remember their struggles, tribulations and achievements.  I then said that wouldn't it be funny if we posted on Facebook all the other races "assigned months". For instance, the White race month would be December for sure because Christianity and Christmas seem to take over our society every year!! Not that all Christians and those that celebrate Christmas are white, but we all see the ads on television every year. They are solely directed at rich, white Anglo-Saxon's. Thinking my man would agree with me I was surprised to hear him say that this would more than likely offend some people and it wasn't a good idea. We didn't end up doing it even though I thought it was a fantastic idea! But once again, I am very open-minded and liberal in my thinking and know that it is MY RIGHT to my freedom of thought and speech. Because of how strongly people voice their opinions and such on Facebook, my guy was forced to feel afraid and hesitant in the way he thinks. People can't seem to face the actual diversity that is spreading through our culture. They still are afraid of what others think. Yet you see half of us saying whatever we please through the Internet and the other half are left feeling like we can't say anything at all!This is in order as to not "offend anyone", as he so gently put it. This kind of bummed me out because I know for a fact that my boyfriend is a sensible, caring and intelligent man. So is the path to truth and knowledge about keeping quiet so others can be as loud as they want?? I think absolutely not. And that is where I agree with the author. He says, "The way to truth and knowledge is through reasonable and open encounters among those who disagree". TJ and I needed to post that the other night. Not only to demonstrate that we can openly think differently that others, but to also prove that the First Amendment is still pushing us to think, speak and act like free people. If we're so afraid of what others might think than we will all end up thinking alike. And how boring would that be?! It's kind of disheartening but I believe we are becoming a one-sided society where most are afraid to practice their rights as stated in the Constitution. Most have become insufferably quiet and are intimidated by conflict of any kind. I think that if we all politely started to stand up for what we believe in then there could be a more well-balanced society. So that's when I start to call out the people that are so strong-willed in their thinking on the Internet that they scare away all the mild mannered people who have something to say too...stop bullying them! If it's acceptable for you to say something that might offend then it should be okay for anyone to be as blunt and forceful. Have you noticed the one's that talk the most trash are the ones that bash anyone for even having a slightly different opinion? These people need to slow down and realize that this country is a forum for differences. I only hope over time that the Internet doesn't destroy democracy as stated in this article. That would be truly ironic in that what our country was founded on was the one thing that destroyed us. Let's try to work together and not have to get "mediators" in order to  hold an argument online. We should be able to agree to disagree.