Civility - disappearing

I wonder why civility is disappearing.  At least it appears to be so.  Is this view based on living in a major urban area?  Do the histrionics prevalent on many of the cable commentary shows (left and right leaning) contribute to the opinion?  Could it be based on the hysterical proclamations - absent intelligent analysis of facts - of the political surrogates?  Are the "gotcha" type, so-called reporters the cause?  Can't help but also wonder if this situation is brought about, or at least facilitated, by oft called popular music.  The music of my youth told stories of surfing, cars, girls-and-guys, the "summer of love," and other positive themes.  Today's music belittles women, is laced with profanity, and is generally negative in tone.  Another thought is that the move towards suing everyone and everything indicates the disappearance of civility.  If so, are the courts complicit?

Or has our society simply devolved to the point that rancor, dishonesty, outlandish assertions, character assault, profanity, disrespectful language, and misrepresentation of fact are acceptable, if not expected.  Surely we can disagree, based upon the merits of the issue!  But is it necessary to take disagreement to the point of the lowest of low commentary, discussion, and acts?  Examples proliferate our daily lives, in every conceivable element, in some rather despicable ways.

I think it a sad observation that sectors of society are so immersed in this lack of civil discourse that they can actually be defined by it.  And since most of these sectors access the various means of vast, immediate electronic means of communication, the impact is wide ranging.  For example, after the near infamous bad call by the referees during a recent NFL game, one player Tweeted that they were "f#&%@#" by the refs.  Great role model of sportsmanship and civility.  (Actually, the losing quarterback was very civil in his on air comments.  In doing so, he better conveyed the disgust with the abysmal call than did his teammate.)

The motivation for writing this piece comes from utter disgust at what is spewed by much of the electronic mediums, whether it is TV (including cable), Internet, or radio.  Obviously inflamed by the political season, the commentary and rhetoric sadly reveal that civility is lost in many quarters.  The more outlandish the comments, again from the left and right, the more attention is gained.

Were that it could be that these self-proclaimed experts would be summarily discharged and more sensible, thoughtful, intelligent, and civil replacements be put into place.