Why Has Public Life Become So Coarse? What Are the Consequences?

Many people – the Sensible Conservative included – are shocked by the language so commonly used in the public arena these days.  I am not referring to personal attacks on political opponents regularly spewed by Donald Trump, for instance.  Character assination and ad hominem assaults have been a frequent feature since our nation’s founding.

[For historical perspective, take a look at the 1800 presidential campaign featuring incumbent candidate John Adams against challenger Thomas Jefferson.]

But I am talking of the vulgar and obscene words – formerly proscribed in what was known as “polite company” – that are now in common usage.

 

Do you remember the days when using even mild (by today’s standards) swear words like damn would raise eyebrows?

 

Obviously, times have changed.  The reasons are many including the internet, entertainment culture, shock DJs, rap music, etc.

Some commentators dismiss concerns over these changes as overblown.  It’s certainly true that people have always had cruel, nasty and unpleasant thoughts about others.  Mostly though, “civilized, well mannered” people kept them unspoken to avoid the condemnation society’s mores used to impose.

 

I’ll agree that such people still follow those strictures; it seems undeniable, however, that their portion of America’s population has declined dramatically in recent decades.

Last week, for instance, thousands of attendees at Donald Trump’s Louisiana rally seemingly urged him to repeat a previously uttered slur against opponent Ted Cruz.  Was the voiced vulgarity deemed to be titillating by the crowd? 

The lessening of verbal restraint, of course, is obvious across society.  But it’s fair to ask, so what?  What difference does it make if now so many people make public what they’re thinking?

  

Plenty.

What exactly do we mean by “good manners” and acting in a “civilized fashion”?

It’s not complicated.  Those traits are intended to serve the interests of people (society) striving to live together in peace and harmony.  That means that we avoid giving offense and show by our conduct and words that we respect those with whom we interact. 

In sum, manners and shared respect are the glue of a healthy society.

When they are missing or weakened, divisions between people deepen and intensify.  Respectful disagreement becomes hatred and disgust with those who have contrary opinions.  Expressed venom is reciprocated in kind.  Personal attacks turn opponents into enemies.

 

In the political sphere, angry partisans who challenge the motivations and character of foes are not disposed to compromise with them.

Simply put, the coarsening of society threatens its longevity.