Absolut is a Vodka, not an admirable social media quality.
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 11:44PM If you've watched the evolution of this blog, and my previous one, I have softened my tone to be less absolute. Frankly, that actually derives from my use of this blog and other social media tools. The more I build relationships with new Edmontonians and Albertans, the more I am exposed to differeing opinions and my willingness to accept other viewpoints expands.
This evolution has also made me more critical of viewpoints which seem wholly agendized. In my opinion, the louder and more entrenched you are in your position, the less likely I am to trust it's anything but exactly that, an agenda.
I have a theory, which I plan to investigate and reflect on over time, but the basic theme of it is that social media tools force us to become more accountable to our words, and hence more ideologically moderate. At least for those who choose to sign their real name next to their accounts, blogs and comments. We are sophisticated enough, and perhaps narcassictic enough, to not want to offend our followers or friends. Or God forbid we LOSE followers with our agenda's. I also tend to think that as people become more and more reliant on new media to research their opinions, they naturally become more wary of anonymous or agendized text as the "advertisment" of social media. Like when I fast-forward through the commercials of a PVR'ed 60 Minutes, I'll almost completely disregard the anonymous comment, or agendized poster.
Perhaps this is why corporate Twitter and Facebook accounts are treated differently than individual ones. When I put this in a political context, which is how I largely enjoy using social media, I look for people who can break from the ranks of simple partisan noise.
I suspect that I am not alone. I believe that we are way more sophiticated in our ability to see though the BS, and have learned to appreciate when we are engaged, or listened to, instead of spoken to in soundbites and party lines.
I am holding out hope that a political movement will appear, which doesn't arrive on the scene with all of the answers, but enters the discussion with some humility and willingness to listen.
ABLEG, Politics, social media in Alberta, Random Thoughts 
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Reader Comments (5)
Absolutely! Or maybe I should moderate that to a strong "Probably!" :)
There's a great saying: The only things you can be absolutely sure about are the things you don't know enough about.
Or something to that effect.
Living in a Black and White world might be easier, more comfortable and clear, but most issues are so complex and multi-dimensional that it's all really just shades of grey. I hope we are evolving in our ability to see things from different points of view and to acknowledge that every side is partially right and every side is partially wrong. We can't afford to be fundamentalist or strict in our thinking because the complete answers, the best answers, the needed answers, won't be found there. We might feel safe behind our fortress of ideology, and protected from the slings and arrows of those who think differently... but until we come out from behind our walls and meet our "enemies" somewhere in the middle, we won't truly understand each other.
The answers we will find, talking to each other, will be more fully complete than the ones we will come up by ourselves or by only listening to those who agree with us. We need to move out of our echo chambers and be open to hearing from other voices.
As my dear old Granny used to say ... "Everything in moderation, including moderation"
The Black and White of society are disengenious at best it seems. An ability to walk in the other mans shoes is a skill so rarely displayed in todays complex idiologically charged world.
Well written Chris.
Brian McMorran
I'm always a little suspicious of people who can't use their real name online, but there are circumstances where it may be appropriate. Geography is a key factor. Posting with a pseudonym or anonymously makes sense if you're from Iran, China or another country where simply expressing your view will get you jailed or worse. Certainly in Alberta, that's not the case, we hope.
There may be other good reasons to be anonymous though, even in Alberta. It very well could cost you your job if you're critical of your employer, particularly in the case of the Alberta government. Or, maybe your employer is a staunch government supporter or relies heavily on government work, and you don't feel you can publicly comment without jeopardizing your position or theirs.
It's a shame we can't be completely free to comment and debate without any repercussion. Such is life.
I'm not so worried about people with agendas. They're not all bad. Some are better than others. I prefer it when they're honest about them, who they are and who they represent. I'm more suspicious of pseudonyms or anonymous accounts with obvious or hidden agendas.
Either way, I enjoy the debate and exchange of ideas, whether tempers flare, discussions get heated or not. I generally don't take it personally, but many people are not like that. For me it is one of the ways I learn, but a lot of people just don't like to be questioned. They view it more as challenging. I say lighten up.
With so many debates I've had, the thing I find funniest is how often the people I'm debating with are in agreement. Most of the debate seems to be about cutting through the different ways of expressing the same idea.
Basically Chris is saying here that he "tolerates everything and stands for nothing".
Chris, I agree that social media has the ability to expose those who use it to differing thoughts, opinions and worldviews. I also agree with your premise that connecting with people that articualte alternative views expands our horizons.
I would like to offer, however, another opinion as to why some citizens remain rigid in thoughts and beliefs, rejecting options as a personal attack against what being an Albertan means.
I believe that laziness is a huge factor with Albertans that refuse to even consider listening to alternative thoughts, opinions and ideas. For decades, we have been stroked for not caring about what might be considered important. We have listened to and responded to a form of government that pats us on the back and says, "don't worry your little head, we (government) will look after everything."
It is much easier for those who don't want to make thier head hurt, to just deny anything might be wrong or could be improved. "Leave me alone, don't mess with my paycheque and I'll do what I want and you do what you want."
The millions of dollars that government has spent telling us what and how to think, or not think, has paid off for years. It is so much easier, and less painful or disappointing, to just close our eyes and eat the porridge.
Don't get me wrong, I love Alberta and want to be a proud Albertan.
I was born here and have been an Albertan, but not a proud one, since our government felt that it was not unseemly to stone the less fortunate in a drunken stupor and marginalize every group that didn't drink the kool-aid, and the public did not erupt in outrage, but rather drank the kool-aid too.