FROM THE PUBLISHER ’ S DESK
Information crisis
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Mar-Vic Cagurangan publisher @ pacificislandtimes . com
The world of ideas and beliefs is like a flea market , where hawkers and barkers try to out-scream one another , each trying to pull the undecided to their version of truth . At a time when information is more abundant and widely available than ever before , sifting through the noise to find out what is true has become a laborious process .
To wear or not to wear a mask . To vaccinate or not . Where even scientists are confused and their statements confusing , ideologists squeeze themselves in . Where ideologies are involved and interpretations of the world are pre-packaged , people ’ s minds are difficult to change .
“ In North America and elsewhere , communities are fractured along ideological lines as social media and algorithms encourage individuals to seek out others who think like they do and to condemn those that don ’ t ,” writes Kyle Conway , author of “ The Art of Communication in a Polarized World .”
“ This social and political polarization has resulted in systemic discrimination and weaponized communication trends such as gaslighting and fake news ,” he added .
In most cases , ideological clashes in a cut-throat contest ironically result in the suppression of free speech and fettering of free thought . The mob tyranny gives rise to the reprehensible “ cancel culture .”
Released in March 2020 , Conway ’ s book confronts the modern world ’ s communication crisis by navigating the gulf between clashing viewpoints . He explores how individuals can come to understand another person ’ s view and provides the tools for shaping effective arguments capable of altering their belief .
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The Guam community cannot be characterized as ideologically rabid — fortunately , I would say . Where facts are clashing and the conflicts are unresolved , the island residents process independently and rely on their own intuition .
The Guam community cannot be characterized as ideologically rabid — fortunately , I would say . Where facts are clashing and the conflicts are unresolved , the island residents process independently and rely on their own intuition . Despite minor resistance , compliance with the Covid-19 safety measures has contributed to the community ’ s success in the battle against the ruthless adversary .
In general , political parties on Guam often find a way to meet each other halfway . But just the same , the community is not immune to polarization .
The proposal to amend the Guam Medical Malpractice and Arbitration , for example , has created a rift between doctors and senators . But engaging in a debate is how we weigh facts . Disagreements are a necessary inconvenience to every free-thinking society .
As for the future of Guam , the community is clearly fragmented — making it even more necessary to continue the public discourses to help us arrive at a collective decision . This explains our roster of Insights columnists associated with different — sometimes clashing — points of view . Talk show host and former senator Bob Klitzkie joins our pool of columnists that include Robert Underwood , Aline Yamashita , Vincent Akimoto , Jayne Flores , Zaldy Dandan , Gabriel McCoard , Jay Shedd , Joy Santamarina and Theodore Lewis .
In his book , Conway deepens our understanding of what it means to communicate and opens the door to new approaches to politics and ethics . His book is an essential guide for surviving in our polarized society .
Contributing Writers Raquel Bagnol Bea Cabrera Zaldy Dandan Robert Klitzkie Theodore Lewis Louella Losinio Gabriel McCoard Diana Mendoza Jonathan Perez Johanna Salinas Joy Santamarina Jay Shedd Robert Underwood Jasmine Stole Weiss Aline Yamashita
Visual Editor Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Sales and Marketing Executive Jan SN Furukawa jan @ pacificislandtimes . com
Account Executive Anna Marie Alegre sales @ pacificislandtimes . com
Administrative Assistant Jinky Villanueva
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