The Power of Words:
Joe Rogan interviews Jamie Foxx and they talk about giving comedians space to play, and that starts with understanding that humour isn't always what it seems. This is a great interview, it's funny and poignant.
This interview is about not taking offense to a comedian's words but this hits me hard. On one hand I understand and agree but yet I would argue we need to be careful with our words.
The topic strikes me hard because yesterday I was upset by something someone said, that was I am sure intended in "good humor" but yet hurt.
So should I just "get over it", or is there room for us to discuss the power of language and responsibility of a speaker to wield that power with respect?
I hope both.
Sometimes humour can go too far: Can't it?
Don't get me wrong...
I think we should argue openly and often about every topic under the sun and I like thought provoking edgy humour.
I think humans talking about contraversial material is healthy. Also conversation and comedy can be a path to clearer thinking through open and reasoned exchange of ideas. However, I also believe that we should share our opinions respectfully and that we should debate in a manner that aims to convince others, not humiliate them.
A christian apologist I respect, Ravi Zacharias said it better than I am able:
"In a world of civility you do not mock a counter persepctive you dialogue with a counter perspective."
"What is the end in sight? Do we desire the winning of the person or the decimation of the person?"
Say what you mean, Nothing More:
My view is that argument, conversation and even humour are healthy and helpful for distilling social frameworks, for disecting ideologies and growing in knowledge. In my view NO topic should be off limits to such dialogue and debate.
However in order for an idea to seed and then grow it needs the fertile ground laid by respectful dialogue.
So when you speak, what is the purpose? The winning of the person or decimation of the person? Do we want to help them see our point? Or are we just trying to humiliate and ridicule?
Let's argue, but with love:
I think the first can be used to make our world better and our culture more loving, but the second is poison and pride, vanity and death. Debate without love is judgement, humour without love is mockery and ridicule.
If we focused on love first and being "right", second, how might our world be different.
What do you guys think? Does debate deserve respectful dialogue, or is respect irrelevant in debate?
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