Have you ever read an article, or maybe watched a video, that you really enjoyed on the Internet? Something that you thought was inspiring, or thought provoking? Have you then made the mistake of scrolling down and reading the comments section below, only to be shocked by the negativity, irrationality, or even hatred being expressed by your fellow viewers or readers? This is a byproduct of the “outrage industry,” and as we enter the dawn of a new decade, it’s one industry that needs to die on the vine.
The “outrage industry” started as a way for special interest groups (usually on the extreme right or left) to mobilize passionate followers to raise their voices and be heard. It has been enabled by the Internet. Twitter, e-mail lists, and message boards allow people to easily, and in many cases anonymously, lash out against a topic, or a person, or an idea. It has been fanned by personalities like Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck, who try to use their own cult of personality to rally troops around a pet cause.
In my professional life I have seen the outrage industry at work many times. When I was in public relations at Best Buy we could always tell when Bill O’Reilly had called out Best Buy for waging “war on Christmas.” E-mails and calls would flood the PR department, chastising us for banning the word “Christmas” from our ads and stores. Never mind that it wasn’t true. The outrage industry doesn’t let facts get in the way of a good rant.
In my current job I have seen the outrage industry on both sides of the H1N1 vaccine debate. Misinformation about the vaccine convinced some that the vaccine was not safe (high mercury levels, a lack of testing). On the other side people were outraged that the vaccine took TOO long to come to market.
To be clear, it’s not the debate, or disagreement that I am objecting to. It’s the tone and the negativity that needs to stop. The outrage industry isn’t interested in answers, or discussion, or the truth. They simply want to be heard, as loudly as possible. Unfortunately, the anger has spread… to town hall meetings (Tea Partiers), state of the union addresses (Rep. Joe Wilson), and even music awards shows (Kanye West).
Given that we have free speech, and don’t want to start censoring people, how do we put an end to the outrage industry? I think we have to take it on ourselves, one discussion at a time. If each of us makes a point of putting positive messages into the world, thoughtful discussions, respectful debate, maybe we can create an environment where rude, threatening, offensive rants no longer generate the attention the creators crave. Don’t bother responding to outrage anymore. And don’t be afraid to join the discussion in a way that is more reasoned, and more respectful.
I don’t know if this outrage trend represents a new element of intolerance that we’re seeing in our communities, or if this type of negativity has always been with us but it never had an easy, public forum before.
I do know that a few loud voices can’t prevent us from engaging, talking, and making positive expressions to move forward in the new year.
What are your thoughts on the level of discourse in our country? What can we do about it?
With Freedom of Speech comes Responsibility of Speech. We as a nation often forget the responsibilities that come with our rights.
The art of debate and discourse based upon thoughful argumentation and fact that is the heritage of our civilization is being lost. It’s not taught in schools. And our frenetic, internet driven lives don’t allow time for it.
Finally, the business model for media is turned on its head. Outrage drives eyeballs and ears to newspapers, television outlets and websites. In this competitive environment, outrage sells. And media companies need the profits to survive.
I’ve begun to just turn off the television and ignore it. But now and again I just can’t help myself and I have to watch and listen just a little bit.
I’m curious: Where do people go for thoughtful discourse? How do people make time for it?
This is a great observation. I agree with you that the solution is not censorship – we need more speech, not less speech. Thoughtful people need to speak up.
Reasoned, thoughtful speech often takes a moment longer to craft than a rant, especially a rant that is pre-packaged by the “industry” you describe. We can all pause to think.
Of course, most ranters will not be persuaded by this commentary…but to those who are on the fence, I say: Please keep it civil, and if you can, make it smart. At minimum, sign your name or put your hand down.
Brother Brian!
I’m sensing a bit of a theme in our most recent posts. Maybe we just don’t know how to argue any longer. So many people shy away from a good, heated but constructive argument. But then there’s the other end of the spectrum with people who become outraged but don’t have the facts right. I’m all for outrage and passion. If you have your facts.
Training on how to argue and debate, like the men’s group I referenced in my post, may be the community’s way of mediating the situation. Let’s hope so anyway.
I’m APPALLED (just kidding.) Great point here. I am outrage-weary myself. Humor and deftly delivered insight are far more effective at expanding my perspective than any verbal bludgeon. I vote for tempering passion with cocktail of levity and logic.