The Rise of Incivility: A Rude Awakening

In recent decades, American society has witnessed a alarming rise in incivility and derogatory discourse across various platforms. This trend, evident in both public and private spheres, has sparked serious concerns about the deterioration of civil dialogue and its far-reaching impact on social cohesion.

This exploration traces the evolution of incivility in American popular culture, beginning with the provocative antics of “The Jerry Springer Show” in the 1990s. We’ll examine how this trajectory continued through the boom of sensationalized reality TV and culminated in the confrontational political rhetoric exemplified by Donald Trump’s public communications.

Recognizing the potential harm of constant exposure to such negativity, we conclude by offering 10 practical tips for engaging with and disengaging from media and social media. These strategies aim to help you navigate the current landscape of discourse while safeguarding your mental well-being in an increasingly uncivil world.

The Normalization of Incivility

The rise of incivility in American popular culture can be traced through several key developments in media and politics over the past few decades. This trend has gradually shifted public discourse, normalizing confrontational and derogatory behavior in both entertainment and political spheres.

The Jerry Springer Era

The late 1980s saw the rise of confrontational talk shows like “The Morton Downey Jr. Show,” which set a precedent for aggressive and provocative content. This show often featured heated arguments and even physical confrontations, pushing the boundaries of acceptable television behavior.

The Jerry Springer Show, which debuted in 1991 as a serious talk show, evolved into a sensationalist program featuring:

1. Confrontational guests
2. Physical altercations
3. Shocking revelations
4. Audience participation in conflicts

The show’s popularity demonstrated a growing public appetite for dramatic, uncivil behavior as entertainment. It set a precedent for future reality TV programs and talk shows, blurring the lines between genuine conflict resolution and staged drama for ratings.

The Reality TV Boom

Following Springer’s success, reality TV shows proliferated in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Programs like “The Real Housewives”, “Jersey Shore”, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians” capitalized on interpersonal conflicts and dramatic confrontations. These shows often rewarded dramatic, confrontational behavior with increased screen time and fame, further normalizing incivility as a path to notoriety and success.

Key aspects of reality TV that contributed to the rise of incivility include:

1. Staged conflicts for dramatic effect
2. Editing techniques that amplified tensions
3. Rewarding outrageous behavior with more airtime
4. Blurring the lines between private and public personas

The Impact of Social Media

As social media platforms gained prominence in the late 2000s and 2010s, they provided new avenues for uncivil behavior:

1. Anonymous commenting allowed for consequence-free aggression
2. Viral content often favored extreme or controversial statements
3. Echo chambers reinforced polarized viewpoints
4. Reality TV stars leveraged social media to extend their influence

The rise of social media has amplified incivility to unprecedented levels. Some examples are:

• The spread of conspiracy theories like QAnon on Facebook, leading to real-world consequences and further polarization of political discourse.
• Twitter/X pile-ons and cancel culture, where individuals become targets of mass criticism and harassment, often for perceived missteps or controversial statements.
• Uncivil tweets often receive more engagement (retweets and likes) than civil ones, which may reinforce such behavior.
• The use of bots and troll farms to spread disinformation and incite discord, as seen in various election interference attempts globally.

The Toxic Parallel: Fox News 

The incivility prevalent on Fox News bears a striking resemblance to the hostile environments often found in online forums. Both platforms have become notorious for their propensity towards name-calling and labeling of individuals, creating an atmosphere that stifles productive dialogue.

Fox News Tactics:

• Pundits using inflammatory rhetoric
• Branding political opponents with derogatory nicknames
• Making sweeping generalizations about opposing views

On Fox News, pundits frequently resort to inflammatory rhetoric, branding political opponents with derogatory nicknames and sweeping generalizations. This behavior mirrors the tactics employed by anonymous users in many online forums, where ad hominem attacks and reductive labeling are commonplace.

The similarities extend beyond mere vocabulary choices. Both arenas tend to foster echo chambers, where like-minded individuals reinforce each other’s views while demonizing opposing perspectives. This polarization further fuels the cycle of incivility, making constructive debate increasingly difficult.

Donald Trump and Political Discourse

Donald Trump’s entry into politics marked another significant shift in public discourse. His communication style, honed through years in the media spotlight and reality TV (“The Apprentice”), brought reality show tactics to the political arena:

1. Use of insulting nicknames for opponents
2. Direct, often derogatory comments about critics
3. Provocative statements designed to generate media attention
4. Disregard for traditional norms of political discourse

Consequences

The rise in incivility can have far-reaching effects:

1. Erosion of social trust: Frequent exposure to uncivil behavior can decrease trust in institutions and fellow citizens.
2. Difficulty in separating fact from sensationalism.
3. Challenges in promoting constructive dialogue on important issues.
4. Mental health impacts: Constant exposure to negativity and hostility can affect individuals’ well-being and stress levels.
5. Decreased productivity: In professional settings, incivility can lead to reduced collaboration and efficiency.
6. Political gridlock: The inability to engage in respectful dialogue can hinder compromise and effective governance.

Addressing the Issue

From educational institutions to corporate boardrooms, from grassroots movements to the halls of political power, a multi-faceted approach is necessary to restore civility to public discourse. Efforts should aim to cultivate a culture of respect, empathy, and constructive dialogue for future generations.

The following strategies represent key pillars in the ongoing battle to reclaim civil discourse in both digital and physical spaces.

Education

Promoting digital literacy and emphasizing the importance of civil discourse in schools.

Example: Implementing a “Digital Citizenship” curriculum in schools that teaches students how to engage respectfully online and critically evaluate media sources.

Corporate policies

Implementing and enforcing codes of conduct in workplaces and online platforms.

Example: A social media platform introducing AI-powered moderation tools to flag and remove uncivil comments, combined with clear community guidelines.

Public awareness campaigns

Encouraging respectful communication and highlighting the benefits of civil discourse.

Example: A nationwide initiative like “Speak Kindly, Listen Carefully” that promotes respectful communication through public service announcements, celebrity endorsements, and community events.

Political leadership

Calling on political figures to model respectful behavior and condemn uncivil rhetoric.

Example: A bipartisan group of respected political figures launching a “Civility Pledge” for candidates, committing them to refrain from personal attacks and focus on policy discussions during campaigns.

Digital Wellness: Navigating Media for Better Mental Health

Here are 10 tips for engaging with and disengaging from media and social media wisely to protect your mental health:

1. Practice digital detoxes: Regularly schedule periods (e.g., weekends, evenings) where you completely disconnect from social media and news. Protect your morning and evening routines from media and refrain from using your cell phone.
2. Create phone-free zones: Designate areas in your home (like the bedroom or dining room) as no-phone spaces.
3. Use “do not disturb” mode: Silence notifications during work, sleep, or personal time.
4. Practice mindfulness: Engage in meditation or mindfulness exercises when feeling overwhelmed by media consumption.
5. Seek real-world connections: Prioritize face-to-face interactions and meaningful conversations with friends and family.
6. Curate your feed: Follow accounts that inspire, inform, or bring joy. Unfollow or mute those that consistently cause stress, or negative emotions.
7. Be mindful of your reactions: Before responding to a post, take a moment to consider if it’s necessary and constructive.
8. Fact-check before sharing: Verify information from reputable sources to avoid spreading misinformation.
9. Use social media purposefully: Have a clear intention for why you’re logging on, rather than mindless scrolling.
10. Utilize platform features: Use tools like content filters or “close friends” lists to control what you see and who sees your content.

By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a healthier relationship with media and social media, reducing stress and improving overall mental well-being.

Conclusion

The increase in incivility and derogatory comments presents a significant challenge to American society. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from individuals, institutions, and leaders to promote respectful communication and rebuild a culture of civility. By doing so, we can work towards a more constructive and harmonious public discourse.

About the Author

Ilse Gevaert is a psychologist and coach with expertise in trauma, narcissistic and psychopathic abuse, resilience, neurodiversity (ASD and ADHD), and giftedness. Ilse continued her education at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Cornell, where she obtained leadership certificates that have informed her practice.

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