Several of the folks I follow on Twitter have commented recently about rude tweets and a general lack of manners on the web. I feel their anguish, would that something could be done about it.
This is part of what is generously referred to as a coarsening of civility in society. Everyone feels free to act like the poor relation that shows up for the family Thanksgiving celebration, gets drunk and obnoxious to the point of ruining the holiday for everyone else.
Unfortunately, our society has lost the means of disciplining or correcting those who stray from civility. In times past these corrections might have ranged from remonstrance by an elder, to a trip outside for harsher measures. Now, for a variety of reasons, those mechanisms are gone.
As a result, there are all to frequently no ‘consequences’ for anti social behavior save internal discipline which is very short supply these days. So, what to do? There is no silver bullet solution, but there are a few steps that we as a people can take, such as:
Take responsibility for your actions. The devil did not make you do it.
Take the ‘law’ into your hands. We can, we must as others may not do it for us.
Do not excuse or laugh off uncivil actions. Say something!
Think before acting. If an action would offend you, it will offend others.
Reward civil behavior, even if only with a ‘thank you’.
A return to a more civil society will be difficult, but with a personal commitment from all of us it can be done!
Laus Deo
