Civility in modern society is being lost one hashtag at a time

Mayor’s use of social media during council meetings is simply a sign of these times

Years ago a convicted rapist and designated dangerous offender described me as the rudest person he’d ever spoken with. Even today I’m not sure to take that as insult or compliment.

He’d called the newspaper from prison, intent on a cash shakedown, threatening a libel suit because we had a minor detail wrong about how he’d abducted a Calgary woman and raped her repeatedly.

He knew his rights, which such people often do.

As for the poor woman’s rights? Well, not so much.

Anyhow, I informed him libel is usually a civil matter so he’d have to pay a lawyer this time around. Also, to get an award you actually needed a reputation capable of being damaged and, lastly, I suggested he should pass the time trying to spot cows making their way home.

Suffice to say I’ve been rude to a few people through the years and many who deserved it far less than this moron. A belated sorry to them all and hopefully the clock’s long ticked past the filing time for any defamation suit.

Therefore I claim expert testimony privilege in the current war of words over Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s use of social media while council meetings are in progress.

Yes, it is rude, as suggested by councillor Andre Chabot, though one wonders why he didn’t point this out before running for the Mayor’s chair as Nenshi’s long been a fervent, head-down ‘tweeter’ (George Orwell is turning in his grave at such debasement of the English language).

But the point is moot because our mayor is a man of these times and, as such, the old-fashioned rigours of politeness no longer apply, now being on the way to the social history dustbin (and it’s pointless using that new green cart because it won’t be coming back.)

Studies shows regular social media usage has similar addictive properties as crack cocaine. Actually it’s more powerful because of the social licence granted by everyone else around you involved in the same eyeglazing activity.

The younger the person, the more addicted they are, not due to some lack of backbone but because they started down this route at a younger age.

People check their phones as soon as they wake, many get up in the night to see what messages have arrived, an ‘Internet-free’ trial program fell apart when participants quit and now, with algorithms filtering out unpleasant or contrary views, the smooth balm of receiving only those messages that either entertain or cement your personal opinion flows continuously.

Our cosy cocoon thickens each day.

The problem with drivers checking devices is well documented but the wider issue of less face-to-face social interaction is as potentially destructive.

These days at the gym half the people there sit or stand simply checking their phones.

Some pose and take selfies leaning against the leg press machine. Few break a sweat — that could be dangerous on the treadmill while checking out your Facebook feed.

What was once considered rudeness is now accepted behaviour. Messages from strangers read as personal as though sent from a long-lost brother. Then, when you reply, rarely is there even acknowledgment, never mind a simple thank-you. Poof, they are gone. In a sad way, no one really exists in this world anymore; we’re all someone else’s digital appendage and seemingly incapable of any true feelings. So everyone can be rude without regret.

It isn’t just individuals. It used to be that if you were looking for work and sent out a resume you’d get an acknowledgment from the company.

No longer. Only those selected for an interview get a response. That’s rudeness on an industrial scale.

That council defeated this attempt to return a modicum of respect to City Hall is hardly surprising.

Let’s hope they at least looked up from their phones to cast the vote.