I really enjoyed Rodger Harding‘s recent article in Broadcast Dialogue magazine:

“I cannot count how often I hear the words appropriate and inappropriate. If inappropriate is interpreted as anything that might offend others, then I guess it would be safe to say that anything extreme, strongly worded, risque, contentious, ambiguous etc. would be included.”

Rodger goes on to describe this as “being unrealistic to persist with the illusion of a world painted solely in positive hues.” He thinks this is a breeding ground for arch deceit.

His words got me to thinking about the “vanilla” role of broadcasters who are frightened to have an opinion so as not to upset anyone, anywhere at anytime. There, hanging over everyone’s head the threat  of the tyrannical so-called Human Rights Commission coming after you. Remember not one single defendant has ever won in circumstances like this. Even the best hockey team hasn’t got  a track record this good. 100% just doesn’t exist in any other world. It is worrisome.

How many meetings have you attended where everyone is nodding in agreement? No one dares to disagree and have a different opinion as you will be labeled negative. And as Rodger points out, we are now a “snitching” society.  If you see something your neighbor is doing and you don’t like it you can call the “snitch” line.

With the constant threat of losing your job or offending someone we  have become a nation of sheeple, just sitting waiting to be herded down the road to righteousness. The apathy in my country is a sick testimonial to the self-righteous zealots who tell you what to eat, what to drive, how to think and so on. I find this age a dangerous one. Most can identify what is going on but there isn’t much you can do to prevent it. Knowing this we have all surrendered.  We have surrendered to opinions we may not agree with for fear of being marginalized. We live in fear of having a certain religious belief. We dread the fact that we may not agree with our neighbors’ political beliefs. And most of all we tolerate just about everything including rudeness on the road, in stores, in parks and on the street. We bow our heads to the morons who ride their bikes across a  red light, push you when walking down the sidewalk, push you when entering an elevator while you are in the process of getting off.  We tolerate kids spitting at us, skateboarding in the parking lot at  the supermarket, having rowdy parties next door, swearing at everything and everyone. We are told to tolerate everything.  I ask this question: As a society have we reached the point where we tolerate everything and stand for nothing?

George Orwell was right. The only thing he got wrong was the year 1984. It has finally arrived. This thinking is choking us as a society and eventually will destroy our way of life.

Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear your opinion!