Opinion | How We’ve Lost Our Moorings as a Society

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses how American society has lost many of its "social, normative and political mangroves" - the things that used to filter toxic behaviors, buffer political extremism, and nurture healthy communities and trusted institutions. It examines how the decline of these "mangroves" has led to a breakdown in norms, civility, and responsibility, particularly among leaders and public figures.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Decline of "Mangroves" in American Society

1. What are the "mangroves" that the article refers to, and how have they declined in American society?

• The article describes various "mangroves" that have declined, including:
  • Shame as a deterrent to unethical behavior
  • Responsibility and integrity among public officials
  • Civil discourse and engagement with those of differing views
  • Locally-owned small-town newspapers that buffered national political polarization
  • Religious observance and the "Ten Commandments" as moral guideposts

2. How has the loss of these "mangroves" impacted American society?

• The loss of these "mangroves" has led to a "normless world" where toxic behaviors, political extremism, and divisive ideas can spread unchecked
• It has eroded norms, civility, and a sense of shared responsibility, making society more vulnerable to "diseased ideas" and manipulation

3. What examples does the article provide to illustrate the decline of these "mangroves"?

• The article cites examples like Trump's lack of shame over alleged misconduct, Supreme Court justices displaying partisan bias, and the rapid loss of local newspapers that used to moderate national political discourse.

[02] The Role of Leaders and Institutions

1. How does the article characterize the role of leaders and institutions in preserving societal "mangroves"?

• The article argues that without leaders who "safeguard our norms and celebrate them and affirm them and reinforce them," the foundational principles of democracy will not be upheld.
• It suggests that the erosion of responsibility and integrity among public officials, like Supreme Court justices, has contributed to the breakdown of these vital "mangroves."

2. What impact does the article suggest this has had on public trust and discourse?

• The article suggests that the lack of trustworthy, norm-reinforcing leadership has allowed for the proliferation of "for-profit systems of political and psychological manipulation," dividing the public and making it harder to have constructive dialogues.

3. How does the article connect the decline of local media to the breakdown of societal "mangroves"?

• The article argues that the loss of locally-owned newspapers, which used to moderate national political discourse, has allowed more partisan and divisive voices to reach small-town America directly, without the "buffering" effect of local media.