Does Cancel Culture Work?

People believe whacky stuff, and throughout history this has been the case. There is something within our psyche that looks for new knowledge, or alternate ways of thinking.

From the philosophers of ancient Greece, to the thinkers of India, to the ancient wisdom of China and the Middle East. People are full of ideas and opinions and views.

The thoughts of thinkers and philosophers, scientists and everyday people are not always correct. Some ideas may be dangerous and often are. Some are just a difference of opinion on a subject or matter, an alternate view.

In a free market of ideas and thoughts and expressions, I believe the best ideas always win over the rest, eventually. Sometimes ideas with grave consequences need to play out to their full extent before we learn these ideas are no good.

Personally, I think that the best ideas are rational and comport with truth and logic. I don’t believe that truth is subjective; I believe that there is an objective truth, objective truth exists. How is that for a radical idea?

I believe we can sometimes have different opinions and each grasp a small part of the truth, but in the end, I believe the whole truth becomes evident.

The best ideas deliver the best results, and when ideas are stifled or suppressed, they manifest in other ways.

I contend that ancient wisdom has taught us that suppressing ideas or forbidding thinking or thoughts gives those forbidden thoughts more power.

Think back to any story on human nature. As soon as something is forbidden, it intrigues us. We want to know why they forbid it? What are they hiding? We find other ways to obtain the forbidden information.

This happens with cancelling thoughts and opinions. It just moves underground and other platforms distribute the information. It creates fragmentation.

If we cancel everything that challenges our perspective, we miss out on an opportunity to grow, to investigate, to think differently. Something corporations always liked about people was that they indeed thought differently. Group think does not solve as many problems as lateral thought, and a richness of divergent views.

We learn through consideration of new ideas and fresh ideas.

People are curious beings, and thinking and debating ideas makes the world a better place. I have seen it in my career. When we have brainstorming sessions on new product ideas, our rule is that nothing is off limits. Even the whackiest ideas can lead to some actual solutions and innovation in product development.

Our brains are all wired differently. We interpret the world differently and when we decide that one person’s opinion is less valuable than our own opinion; we are on a slippery slope to bad ideas. Closing down debate and thinking.

I say all ideas have a seat at the table, let’s debate them and work through them. We will find the ideas that are no good through intellectual interrogation and debate, then we can all agree to dismiss them.

In order for the best ideas to be sorted from the rest, the risk of offending someone is always going to be there. We should not stifle ideas because somebody takes offence. Different things offend different people. Trying not to offend people will always stifle thoughts and ideas.

We live in a time where we attack people, and not their ideas. When we debate ideas, we should not prejudge the idea based on who suggested the idea. We should consider each idea and adopt or reject it on its merits. Sometimes, horrible people have great ideas. I have seen it throughout my corporate life. Someone I don’t particularly like comes up with a great idea for the company. I must put my ego and pride and selfishness aside and do what is best for the company.

I think it is shortsighted and selfish to stifle arguments and opinions, but I would like to hear what you think? I agree we should not tolerate any ideas that call for violence or malice against people, groups or races. All people have value and we should respect them as human beings, no matter how divergent their views are.

In the voice of Jack Nicholson.

“In the 1996 movie ‘Mars Attacks’ Jack Nicholson asks the question which was made famous by Rodney King. “Why can’t we all just get along?”

Source for quote:

https://speakingfrog.com

When we don’t listen to people to understand their perspective or interpretation of an event, we will fail to test our own thoughts and beliefs, and we devolve into group think. Those who cannot find other outlets to express their opinions will become frustrated and possibly more radical.

When you have large enough groups of frustrated and radical people, the danger of radical action becomes a lot more imminent. If any of us truly believe our arguments are the best, then what do we have to fear in openly debating various view points?

Thank you for reading and let me know what you think?