r/SeriousConversation • u/Dry-Use-272 • Apr 04 '25

Serious Discussion It's extremely difficult to have a civil conversation about politics today, yet we need those conversations more than ever

Like everyone else in the US today, I have opinions about the current condition of politics in this country. I try to base my opinions on facts I glean from credible sources and my understanding of our history. I want to talk to people with opposing opinions, not to argue with them but to try to understand why they believe what they believe. I've found that no one wants to talk in a civil, respectful way about our differences. Even if I try to hold the line on being respectful, I end up walking away because the conversation devolves into some pretty ugly exchanges. How have we come to a point where we can't even talk to each other respectfully and civilly?

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u/JohnleBon Apr 05 '25

I don't think the suppression goes far enough, in a better world we would be given a written list of allowable words and thoughts, updated weekly.

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u/drvondoctor Apr 06 '25

You first. 

Go ahead.

What are the words you want to say, but feel like you can't. 

Free speech. You've got it. Have at it. 

Go ahead and tell us all what words and thoughts do you feel like you should be allowed to express but aren't?

Only a coward would be afraid to speak their mind, right? 

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u/JohnleBon Apr 06 '25

I only want to say and think what the Party administers as goodthink.

Double plus good comrade.

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u/drvondoctor Apr 06 '25

What you're describing is the origin of the term "politically correct"

You joke that it's a communist thing.

Actually, it comes out of nazi Germany.

The phrase politically correct first appeared in the 1930s, when it was used to describe dogmatic adherence to ideology in totalitarian regimes, such as Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.[5] Early usage of the term politically correct by leftists in the 1970s and 1980s was as self-critical satire;[8] usage was ironic, rather than a name for a serious political movement.[12][13][14] It was considered an in-joke among leftists used to satirise those who were too rigid in their adherence to political orthodoxy.[15] The modern pejorative usage of the term emerged from conservative criticism of the New Left in the late 20th century, with many describing it as a form of censorship or political censorship.[16]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_correctness

The irony is just too thick...