ARCS, Chapter 1

I am absolutely thrilled to see Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students (ARCS) address the fact that modern media fails facilitate proper discourse between politicians anymore. I actually find myself amazed that I was unaware that Jon Stewart is primarily responsible for the downfall of Crossfire, and I can't help but cheer when I watch his response to the empty words of the hosts on the now-deceased show.

     

Jon Stewart kicks some ass on Crossfire

A large part of the modern American media is guilty of the same sins. The Fox Network manages to deliver, in large part, a slew of conservative "discourse" (I say this loosely), without succeeding in actually saying anything at all. There is no real news network that actually manages to state clear facts and allow for productive debate--no one to hold actual politicians accountable by asking tough questions to actually keep the politicians "in shape." Jon Stewart demonstrates what should be happening in interviews--deviation from a script, allowing those in question to actually have to demonstrate ability.

I am also in absolute agreement with the section of ARCS that discusses the ownership of opinion. The linking of opinions to identity continues to undermine effective political conversation by reducing thoughts and beliefs to a simple generalization. If I were to express my frustration with American media, coupled with my irritation that it withholds vital information, I might be dismissed as "another conspiracy theorist," and my words no longer hold validity with a listener.

I cannot imagine a time in which logical assertion is not valued as an effective way to make an argument. Factual information and testimonies are valued not only in rhetorical exchange, but in our justice system as a means to establish guilt or innocence. The frustration that comes with arguing with a person that insists on avoiding facts is absolutely mind-blowing, and pondering that as a standard for discourse is supremely entertaining.