The Growth of Hate

Last week I wrote about the disturbing trend of polarity and the way our society has become entrenched. I received great feedback and want to take it deeper and potentially darker this week in a bit of a longer missive. The trend I have noticed which is related to polarity is the growth of hate.

In my estimation, we are no longer a society of rational debate; we have become a society of hate. The rational debate in our society feels set upon by the polarization of us vs. them, my truth vs. your truth, and my good to your evil.

Many elements of our discourse and co-existence have gone to the extreme of polarity where we are unable to hold two opposing views and have become so entrenched that we are demonstrating hatred. Whether that hatred is intense dislike or all the way to ill will, we are seeing it crop up everywhere.

It is no longer inclusion, but it is now exclusion. We are being driven by passions and not logic. We have long seen this in more trivial pursuits like sports rivalries and the like, but are now seeing this tribalism more prevalent in politics, and our day to day living. We are finding ways to express this dislike, whether it be directed at legislation, rights, ethnicities, or “differentness” of any stripe… and expressing it vociferously.

As an example, the frightening upsurge in antisemitism or the growth of islamophobia have shown how intolerant we can be to other human beings. I don’t believe that Hobbes was right that we are naturally purely self interested. We need to people to flourish together and not one over another.

I often ask why is this happening – something has to be at the root of this dark side of humanity where we are separated from others.

Last week I suggested that the rise of polarity is coincidental with the upsurge in social media which allows people to rail against others with impunity, and often anonymity. The real issue is in the last part of the statement, it is the growth of that impunity. In the interest of freedom of speech, we have allowed people to express their anger, disdain, and hatred without ramifications. The sceptic in me suggests that the silence of politicians is much to do with votes and popularity couched in rhetoric of freedom of speech rather than just turning a blind eye. But, regardless, we have allowed this anger to be expressed. With every passing over of an issue the perpetrators become emboldened. I believe freedom of speech is essential but not at a cost to others.

I think another potential cause is the post-covid impact. That may appear strange on first read but the existential threat covid may or may not have presented to people have left them thinking very differently about their worlds. My survival has pitted me against others and angered me. My business partner Tony Welsh’s words “not everything changed in covid, but everyone did” may be more prophetic than we thought. History has shown that mass existential threats have begat massive upheavals in society.

But I come back to impunity. By doing nothing and saying nothing we have emboldened hatred, to paraphrase the oft used quote “evil grows where good men do nothing”. The growth of impunity is very real. So, whether it is technology or societal changes, and likely a combination of these and many other sources, the fact remains it is an issue in need of resolution.

In previous missives I have argued that the ills of our world arise from a lack of accountability. I believe this is true here. We have come to rely on people’s sense of responsibility – responsibility being that subjective, personal feeling of right or obligation. We have placed the individual over the greater good. Those changes above have put the individual at the forefront.

Accountability is rooted in the greater good and, as we say at Forrest, one key accountability is for the enterprise overall. Accountability is the antithesis to impunity.

Our world of polarity is costing us greatly.? Our world needs accountability now more than ever. Our world needs peace now more than in a very long time and I suggest accountability is the way to that peace.

Consider it within just over a week from Canada Day. In 1867, we were a nation established under the belief of Peace, Order, and Good Government, the very essence of accountability. Right now, we need to re-embrace and reinvigorate our credo as well as offer it to the world. We have much to offer the world and I would suggest we start with what we were founded upon.

Hopefully this will have provoked thought and you will ponder it. I look forward to your comments.