The irony of the proliferation of opinions and information through the internet and social networks is that we do not experience a broadening of the mind but a narrowing.

Peggy Noonan observed in Patriotic Grace that in the old days we had fewer news outlets but we all got the same news.  Now with thousands of sources it is so overwhelming that we read more for confirmation than for information.  We read what reinforces our own opinion and ignore what does not.

This has made us more partisan and more divisive and less tolerant of different opinions.

Especially in the social networks such as Facebook we find ourselves excited about reaching old friends and then agitated that they hold opinions we reject.  Yes there are a lot of ignorant memes posted, and shared on the social networks.  And there are people ‘defriended’ because they did or did not support Obama, gay marriage, or gun control.

I would suggest that those defriended for such reasons were certainly never really “friends” to begin with in any meaningful sense.  No surprise.  I would also suggest that those who are so offended by such opinions that they cannot stand to even acknowledge their existence are experiencing a closing of their mind that is probably not limited to their social networks.

Perhaps I am guilty of this as well. I will ‘defriend’ offensive language and some blatantly ignorant posters.  I may disconnect from some whose posts are limited to amateur preaching.  I have a Bible at home, I know how to read and I know where the churches are.  I do not rely on Facebook to make friends (though I enjoy being able to reach so many), and certainly do not go there seeking spiritual salvation.

I have learned to limit my political opinions largely to my Rebel Yid fan page.  I have also learned to limit my comments on others posting political opinions, though I sometimes allow myself to be sucked in and have to learn again.

But for those who get easily offended by differing opinions on Facebook, recognize that immediately after your post there is a block marked ‘comments’.  If you do not want any comments perhaps Facebook is not the place to share your view of the world.

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