I don't know whether it's just the summertime (again record heat and drought in most of the United States) or what, but I am beginning to believe that civility toward others is dead. Just a few examples from the recent news will suffice to make my case. This week we heard of the Little League mom who was threatening the coach--so much so it's going to court. Even my grandson's Little League team is not immune from such drama since one of the parents was thrown out of the game not once but twice this season. Also, who can forget the video footage outside the Casey Anthony trial with both men and women engaging in physical violence (one man is in a choke hold by another)? This scuffle evidently was over someone trying to cut in line for a spectator seat. My favorite example concerns two women in a Trader Joe's store fighting over the last package of frozen tofu Thai food. One was an opera singer and the other, I believe, was a TV personality.
Surely there must be a better way to solve conflicts other than resorting to fisticuffs. I believe reality shows have surely been an influence on our poor behavior. For years, audiences have been watching the Jerry Springer, Maury Povich type of TV shows where people shout each other down and physically assault each other. Even though some shows don't actually have these types of behaviors, the verbal smack downs are just as damaging as guests talk over each others' points. Should there not be some rules of behavior in reality? Do ratings usurp civility?
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