Our Culture of Contempt Revisited–

“… I defined our national problem as a culture of contempt. What exactly is contempt? Social scientists define contempt as anger mixed with disgust. These two emotions form a toxic combination, like ammonia mixed with bleach. In the words of the nineteenth-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, contempt is “the unsullied conviction of the worthlessness of another.” Deriving from the Latin word contemptus, meaning “scorn,” contempt represents not merely an outburst following a moment of deep frustration with another but rather an enduring attitude of complete disdain.”

“America is addicted to political contempt. While most of us hate what it is doing to our country and worry about how contempt coarsens our culture over the long term, many of us still compulsively consume the ideological equivalent of meth from elected officials, academics, entertainers, and some of the news media. Millions actively indulge their habit by participating in the cycle of contempt in the way they treat others, especially on social media. We wish our national debates were nutritious and substantive, but we have an insatiable craving for insults to the other side. As much as we know we should ignore the nasty columnist, turn off the TV loudmouth, and stop checking our Twitter feeds, we indulge our guilty urge to listen as our biases are confirmed that the other guys are not just wrong, but stupid and evil.“

Arthur C. Brooks

Back in 2019, Arthur Brooks penned an opinion in the New York Times entitled: “Our Culture of Contempt.” As I stated back then, this is a must read. However, I must confess, I looked but did not totally see. I read, mostly scanned, but did not learn. As a result, I gleaned what I wanted to. After all, I already knew the answers. I was confirming my own biases. Due to my momentary intellectual laziness, I came away with a superficial understanding of his thesis. A slow, deliberate re-read was necessary. In my own defense, his in depth analysis had not yet been published. Subsequently, I’ve now read: “Love Your Enemies-How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt.”

Understanding and Combating the Culture of Contempt

I would like to think the majority of Americans, regardless of ideology, are tired of our seemingly never ending consternation with the so-called other side. Since societal norms continue to evolve, or devolve depending upon one’s perception, Brook’s essay is even more relevant today. His thesis encapsulates the core causation of a polarized nation. A country so ensconced in tribal rhetoric that rational adult discourse is unattainable. Compromise is likened to a treasonous act, “Sleeping With the Enemy” as it were. It’s reminiscent of the bullying antics found on a 5th grade playground. But as Brooks suggests, this polarization, this attitude of “I’m Right, Your Wrong” goes beyond incivility and intolerance. Anyone with even a remedial knowledge of history, knows what happened the last time the nation was so polarized. Our collective behavior is not working. Coming from a center-right position, Brooks has an outline for we as a people to follow. My only suggestion: Don’t get hung up on the word love. His meaning is more about respect and appreciation for the situations of others. The goal is to quit thinking of the other side as the enemy. We need to see each other as people, not liberals, not conservatives, but people. If we are to succeed in changing the hateful discourse so prevalent today, it will take a converted populace to do so. My success as a city manager in a newly incorporated city some 30 years ago, was to be recognized as a member of the community. Not easy for a center left kind of guy in a more than right community. The bonds that were formed didn’t come from the dais at city hall. It came as a parent sitting on the sidelines watching my daughter and son play softball and soccer. I wasn’t a suit. I wasn’t a bureaucrat. I was a Dad. That was enough for most, not all, but most. There will always be curmudgeons. Still, we need to engage. We can’t rely on others to preserve our civic culture.

Regardless, here is the outline of what he proposes. To get the full effect, you need to read the book.

Five Rules to Subvert the Culture of Contempt

Rule 1. Stand up to the Man. Refuse to be used by the powerful.

Rule 2. Escape the bubble. Go where you’re not invited, and say things people don’t expect.

Rule 3. Say no to contempt. Treat others with love and respect, even when it’s difficult.

Rule 4. Disagree better. Be part of a healthy competition of ideas.

Rule 5. Tune out: Disconnect more from the unproductive debates.

We have work to do. It has to be a grassroots effort. If “We the People” means anything, then a united front is of a necessity.