Blog 2: E Letter by Deborah Tannen

The subject of the world becoming a crueler, more evil, and arguementative has been in debate for as long as I can remember back. The prices of food and gas are rising and the job market is slimming down makes this world out to be more competitive. I have always been encouraged at a young age to set my goals high but never pushed by my parents to diminish my morals to achieve my goals although my case could just be an exception to the rule. Jerry Straks reviews the book by Deborah Tannen and pulls out the most important points to the book. She uses an example of how the general population approaches the world with the following quote, "the argument culture urges us to approach the world-and the people in it-in an adversarial frame of mind." To me this quote is saying that instead of embracing what the world has to offer, we are taught to tackle the world as if we are in some sort of wrestling match. This approach can shoot the average worker to the top of the company but there will be casualties and broken relationships along the way. Another concept that she uses is the media and how it constantly focuses on the negativity throughout the world and pushes the triumphs to the side. During political campaigns you can observe news stations turning democratic or republican. Last time I checked the news station's job was to inform us, not to persuade us. The topic of parenting is also another heated debate. Are mother's teaching their daughters to be more assertive with male dominant values or are they merely preparing their daughters for the harsh world? It reminds me of the question did the chicken or the egg come first? Is the world getting more polarized or are parents teaching their children to have thicker skin? The only way to change directions is to start with yourself. One must choose how they will handle themselves before confronted with an issue. Will you conform to the polarization or will you choose to take the road less traveled?