The Pen is Mightier...

...than the 15 second "sound-bite". At least it should be more powerful. Fifteen second sound-bites lend themselves to sloganeering, trivializing of issues, "creative editing", and sensationalism. Good writing lends itself to thoughtfulness, self-examination, and critical thinking. The last post on this blog suggested just saying no to shrill voices that do not foster a civil discussion of issues. Today's suggestion is to just say "yes" to reading widely good writers of varied political positions. A good place to start is by reading several good "op-ed" columnists in a variety of newspapers (On-line reading of op-ed selections counts too.). Serious, civil debate of issues can never be reduced to 15 second sound bites, nor to two-word slogans.