I don’t recognize our world. Where did the joy go? When I was a kid, life in the ‘70s and ‘80s was easy. I did not worry about war, nor wonder if I had a future.
There is a lot that is wrong with our world today. Notably, we don’t know how, or we’re afraid, to listen to each other anymore.
In my family, we were told not to complain unless we had a better idea to offer. You listened without interrupting, and you reflected on what the other person said BEFORE you formulated and gave your answer.
From a very young age, I recognized that my elders’ willingness to listen to “other” people’s points of view was something to be respected, and emulated.
I am not afraid of different points of view; I am intrigued by them, wondering “How did they come to that belief and what do they base it on?”
But it takes effort to hear a variety of points of view today: the algorithms that rule the tech world create echo chambers; social gatherings with actual human beings are less common today, and; for some, interactions with AI chatbots are replacing human connections, even leading to romantic relationships??
Canada’s new Governor General, Louise Arbour, said at her installation last week, “We must continue to protect the public space in which our national debates take place: from schools and universities to the media, political parties, unions and civil society organizations.”
As our new GG noted: “Extreme polarization is dangerous – but so is extreme consensus.”
Since 1863, The Gleaner has been the record of life in the Chateauguay Valley. Former Washington Post publisher Philip Graham famously said, “News is the first rough draft of history.” Which begs the question: without The Gleaner’s reporting, how will anyone in the future know what happened here? Will so-called “influencers” keep a reliable record?
We take our role seriously. We need this community’s support to do this important work. And we need to hear from a variety of people. We want to hear from YOU. Share your thoughts with a “letter” to the editor or a phone message.
This issue launches a new column by CTV Montreal news anchor Caroline Van Vlaardingen. Welcome back, Caroline, to the Valley of your youth. As a new voice in The Gleaner, we look forward to getting your take on the crazy world we live in.
Jackie Rourke, Executive Editor