Should we tolerate or allow bad/abusive behavior in public?

[RogueHanger]

At the moment I want to limit this discussion in to whether we should tolerate, allow or ignore bad or abusive behaviour in public.
I would want to mention personal abusive comments, in due course, whether it's racial, ageist, sexist, disability, etc.

In public I'm thinking along the lines of public transport, streets, parks and social media.

I personally can't abide abusive behaviour in public, whether it's swearing on public transport, or worse,, eg graffitti, etc.
Unfortunately, I still feel compelled to "put my oar in".

Should I try to change and ignore this type of behaviour?

 

[joe-90]

You can't change the world. You can't turn the tide.

To try to do so is both pointless and dangerous.

 

[RogueHanger]

You can't change the world. You can't turn the tide.

To try to do so is both pointless and dangerous.

I assume, then, joe, you consider:
a) that there is an increase in bad behaviour in public,
b) it's part of a trend,
c) we should not oppose it,
d) we should ignore it, and
e) we should not oppose it because it's dangerous.

Is that a fair assesment of your position?

Sorry, edit: I should perhaps add
f) to try and oppose something that is dangerous but trendy is pointless?

 

[joe-90]

Yes. You are but one, they are billions.

 

[RogueHanger]

Yes. You are but one, they are billions.

I assume, joe, you mean yes to (a) though to (f)?

 

[joe-90]

Dunno haven't read it.

 

[masona]

You can't change the world. You can't turn the tide.

To try to do so is both pointless and dangerous.

I assume, then, joe, you consider:
a) that there is an increase in bad behaviour in public,
b) it's part of a trend,
c) we should not oppose it,
d) we should ignore it, and
e) we should not oppose it because it's dangerous.

Is that a fair assesment of your position?

Sorry, edit: I should perhaps add
f) to try and oppose something that is dangerous but trendy is pointless?

No, I'm with Joe, it's out of control, just ask any policeman. All I can say is good luck for sorting it out!

 

[Big Tone]

I know where you’re coming from and I agree with you RH.  You sound old fashioned like me.  My first and serious thoughts are: -

A)    You are likely to get a mouthful back, or worse!
B)    The Law wouldn’t, and doesn’t, back you up if it gets out of hand.

So I personally wouldn’t advocate anyone getting involved, unless they’re confident or an off-duty policeman.  Not so much cowardice as self preservation these days.

But I think I can already see where this is going you crafty ole dog, so I’ll steal your thunder now   You are going to relate this, and all that is yet to transpire here, into why should or shouldn’t the same equally apply on Social Media.

Cold or Warm?  

 

[RogueHanger]

I know where you’re coming from and I agree with you RH.  You sound old fashioned like me.  My first and serious thoughts are: -

A)    You are likely to get a mouthful back, or worse!
B)    The Law wouldn’t, and doesn’t, back you up if it gets out of hand.

So I personally wouldn’t advocate anyone getting involved, unless they’re confident or an off-duty policeman.  Not so much cowardice as self preservation these days.

But I think I can already see where this is going you crafty ole dog, so I’ll steal your thunder now   You are going to relate this, and all that is yet to transpire here, into why should or shouldn’t the same equally apply on Social Media.

Cold or Warm?  

Absolutely spot on, BT.
So you think it's reasonable to oppose bad behaviour in public, bearing in mind that on social media, personal safety is of no concern?
Additionally, there is no more public and permanent than social media.
Sorry, that was another question, which you may use any number of words avoiding yes or no.

Edit:
It was your comments, partly, that led us to this point, BT. So I thank you for that.

 

[Big Tone]

To cut to the chase, I think it’s idealistic, not realistic, and more than a little too Big Brother for me.

It comes down to where do you draw the line between free speech and censorship, and the trouble there is if you ask a dozen different people I’m sure you would get a dozen different answers. And as the saying goes “You can please all of the people some of the time or some of the people all of the time” etc. So what to do to be fair?

Like they say about porn on TV, if you don’t like what you see on a forum then just ‘switch it off’ or try another channel. No one has a gun to your head. The difference in the street of course is that you can’t just switch someone’s vulgar or offensive mouth off, and in that case I would like people show respect for those who don’t like it. (Some spatial awareness and consideration for others).

But I would still personally air on the side of free speech every time even at the risk of offending someone than have someone straightjacket or dictated to as to what they can or cannot do and say. (You can never know who might be within earshot). The caveat here, of course, is you cannot give people complete free reign to start killing others or stealing, for example. So even the freedom I speak of has limits which need to be in place. Most things are a balance or compromise and this is yet another.

Some things you can’t give a definite answer to or opinion on until you have heard all sides of the argument. So I could be swayed, (one of my infamous swerving U-Turns and hypocrisy), until I can make an informed decision.

But meanwhile, just a quick litmus test for you Rogue, let me ask you something if I may. I know it’s fiction and light-hearted, but would you prefer or approve of something like this?

“John Spartan you are fined one credit for a violation of the verbal morality statute”.?

Did you see the movie?

You might be the 1 person who is offended amongst 100 of which 50 are not and the remaining 49 are indifferent. So why, in such a case, pander to the 1's desire? Now there's a slipery-slope trap if ever there was..

 

[Whitespirit66]

Should I try to change and ignore this type of behaviour?

What does your shrink advise you to do?

 

[Whitespirit66]

Dunno haven't read it.

 

[Big Tone]

Hang on, hang on!

I know several people claim to be the first with “when the argument is lost the insults begin”, but the argument has hardly begun and the boots are already going in.

I want to say no endorsement from me, but then it’d look like I’m Mr Swerve or taking sides, another U-Turn....

Rock

Hard place.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Sorry Tone, you're right.

I'll butt out, and leave you to the 30 pages of propaganda.

 

[Big Tone]

Well I hope not, although I do have a sense of foreboding...