Arguing With Idiots

Last week, I said something on Twitter about Glenn Beck’s new book. Basically, I think he’s a clown and I think that we’d probably be a lot better off if his show (and those like it, on both the Left and the Right) was branded an entertainment program and not, as some think, a news program. As with many of my tweets, it led to an exchange on Facebook and a discussion on the phone with Mike Tofias. His point is one I’ve been thinking about ever since: why do I bother talking/arguing with people who think the way Glenn Beck thinks?

In truth, I don’t think I’m going to change anyone’s mind and it’s not really what I’m trying to do. In truth, I’m pretty sure I won’t ever convince the Beck-inspired Conservatives that everyone ought to have healthcare or that socialism and fascism are different things (and that neither has anything to do with the Obama administration). And they’re also not likely to convince me that Glenn Beck’s really onto something here, that we really ought to be concerned that a large percentage of our democratically-elected leaders are really secret Marxists or some such nonsense. Looking at the cover of Beck’s book, it’s plenty clear to me that I have very little in common with someone who would buy it.

So why do I bother? Admittedly, it’s annoying and stressful…and who really needs that headache? It would be a lot more pleasurable for me if I only talked to people who think I’m a genius, just as I’d probably feel better about all of my decisions if I only got my news from sources that always reenforce my own opinions.

My answer is that I don’t want to fall into the trap that I accuse others (mostly Conservatives) of failing to avoid, namely only engaging with people who agree with me. As someone who writes about democratic theory and communicative action, I take very seriously the argument that one of the virtues of a democracy is that it offers a public space to try out ideas, to engage in vigorous debate with other citizens, and to become exposed to new ways of thinking. I know this sounds pretty high-handed, but I really do think it’s one of the keys to a functioning democratic society. And I think it’s something we haven’t been doing particularly well for some time now. Indeed, Beck’s new book is called Arguing With Idiots…but he’s not actually arguing with anyone. On his show, and on shows like his, people who don’t agree with the position of the host tend to be shouted down or dismissed out of hand.

It’s much more difficult, and much more irritating, to listen to someone who holds a viewpoint you find objectionable, to be sure. But it’s incredibly important to do so - even if you know they’re wrong and you’re right and no amount of arguing will change anyone’s mind - because refusing to engage with others on issues that you believe are politically important is, in fact, failing to act democratically.