Privacy and Purpose in an Age of Silent or Vocal Dissent

Some people can stand and deliver. Others shuck and jive. A few may tell it like it is. Some blow or spew verbal steam without realizing that they overlook reality to fit their present perspective. A few of us verbally gnaw each others psyche until we are alienated, nauseated, and frustrated. Most of us don't remain static in one of the these patterns. Perhaps, we remain silent or distance ourselves from mental challenges to our intelligence. Certainly, peace is a virtue, but not to the extent that an oppressive, questionable, and unreasonable status quo looms on our horizon.

Most of us refuse to comment and opt out as observers of another's agenda or perception. Opting out is not always a 'cop out.' We remain silent for several reasons. Perhaps, it is likely that the other person will appear aggressive, outraged, or simply won't pay attention. No one wants to appear ignorant, ignored, or overlooked. However, in doing so, a minority may hijack morality for the sake of unreasonably dominating our cheerished freedoms. Dissent without action may evolve into consent.


In many nations, privacy is not an option. Silence and submission is! In our nation privacy has become a shrinking commodity. Our right to remain silent and the option to have our preferences kept confidential 'may' be sacrificed even though the 'data diggers' had the best intentions. In its place, products are improved and facts released, but in its wake lives are scrutinized. Aren't these sharp tactics arguably unfair and ethically questionable? Will a past, present or future position or vote remain private, persecuted, or proselytized?

We are criticized for seeking neutrality and objectivity in spite of our ignorance or perspective. Our perspective may be reasonable yet deviate from others. We are panned or praised for our desire to seek some pinnacle of virtue. We accept, ignore, wade, or welcome the consequences of reaching or losing attentiveness while seeking reasonable goals. We scold or are scolded due to our shortsighted vision of what we perceive as civic, personal, professional, and parental responsibility. Such a moral compass is sometimes uncertain and vacillating.

The moral magnetism driving us north can prove elusively south, yet appeal to a minority. Some of us are bullheaded in our pursuit of reality and reason. In our elusive aims, we forget how to treat each other. We raise our voices and point our words in righteous indignation. Perhaps, only to later realize that we have overstated the obvious or ignorance to someone alienated and numbed by our messages.

One aspiration is that those who lose touch and those numbed by ignorance will return to some sort of appreciation and humility. That is, an apology in deeds or its acceptance is not a form of weakness. Rather, a reckoning form of strength for those willing to listen. Those who are outspoken or those who are on the receiving end should appreciate that the voice of reason need not always be expressed in rhetorical or condescending tones. We should appreciate and occasionally exercise our bill of rights unlike those without one. Otherwise, we may get bent and out of shape.