Logique du Coeur
Several weeks ago, after the coronation of Miss Universe 2011 aired live on television sets and websites, people across different social networks transformed from their respective professions into beauty queen experts in an instant. Forums were abuzz with varying opinions regarding the performance of the Philippines’ representative, Shamcey Supsup.
I was watching a snippet from a popular video sharing community and despite being struck by our candidates’ answer, the 600+ comments on the 52-second video caught my attention. As followers expressed their pride and admiration, non-believers articulated the errors in Miss Philippines’ answer. Remarks ranged from the intelligent should-haves and could-haves to the mindless “fake and gay.”
Rather than discussing the individual criticisms in detail, I would like to focus on the principal nature of these comments. Ironically, these provocative rants are only as harmful as the pseudonyms and faceless masks they hide behind. Although the World Wide Web is a valuable source for information and mass communication, it is indicative of society’s regard for self-promotion.
Considering our susceptibility to hindsight bias, we resort to self-righteous cynicism to enhance our sense of superiority. Moreover, the protective shield of anonymity gives the satisfaction of mocking others of their imperfections without dealing with the consequences. Fortunately, these unrestrained behaviors can only go so far.
As much as there is value in allowing people to assert their right to speech, it is precisely this culture of anonymity that limits our given freedom. Fighting for personal beliefs in the dark causes distress to others but mostly to our own selves.
Conversely, we choose the less direct forms of discussion and engage in impression management when in a position to effect change. It appears as if no one truly wants to respect one another because hardly anyone practices it anymore. Even celebrities and politicians only reveal the likeable versions of themselves in public to guard their reputation. Commendable are the few who can bravely face controversies with pride and conviction.
The issue at hand goes beyond mindless debates over the internet. A situation as simple as this calls for a change in a social system that breeds and maintains prejudice in our lives. If we cannot even lay claim to the sentiments we share online regarding what should have been the better answer or who should have won the crown, how can we defend ourselves from more pressing matters?
It has been said that character without action is a static identity. But as writer and political activist, Jim Wallis says, “the worst actions that we can commit are those that seek to demonstrate our own righteousness, our purity and our moral distance from values that we are protesting.”
In the end, we will not be judged by what we say. It is how we say it that will matter.
