I have been on a bit of a rampage with a number of blogs that question the need for ever-increasing rules, laws, and regulations that compound our lives. Most of the added tedium of more and more regulations generate more problems than they solve. I just read of one new law that may have some merit.
“There is no question that gossiping can spread inaccurate information, which in some cases can cause arguments or heighten disputes between people. To prevent these things from happening, a mayor passed a law in the town of Binalonan in the Philippines that bans gossiping. If people break the gossiping law, they could be fined and made to do community service. Town officials claim that law is bound to improve the quality of life for people living there.”
I am not sure it would really work, but it is a sign of some creative thinking. If we were to consider such a law would it be the downfall of much television programming? All of the talk shows, whether political in nature or sports talk shows, thrive on hysterically pointing fingers or making diffuse accusations or unfounded speculation on all topics. Most commentators would deny that their “expert opinions” are gossip, but they certainly would not be too willing or able to provide concrete evidence to support many of their assertions.
How would the thousands of lies, fabrications, and distorted reports that emanate from Trump the Tweeter be characterized? I would be delighted to compile the amount of the fines applicable and would love to set up a community service program for him to work off his unfounded ramblings. He could humbly toss out paper towel rolls to victims of natural disasters who have been displaced from their homes as he demonstrated so warmly in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. He is a natural security blanket of empathy!
Then as my mind began to pick up speed, I wondered if perhaps in the hope of enhancing human interactions even more than banning gossip, how about outlawing public discussions of politics and sports altogether. If you want to create some instant animosity in any group, just bring up the name “Trump” or “Trudeau” and you will observe an instant formation of supporters and distractors. Peace on earth and goodwill towards men will never be observed if a hot political topic is tossed on the table for discussion. If we eliminate it from TV, just think of the positive spillover effect on families who could now watch such fine fare as Schitt’s Creek, the Bachelor, and the Big Bang Theory. I am sure that peace on earth would have a much greater opportunity!
Sports programming would also be improved is we eliminated opinionated colour commentators, panels of analysts, live interviews of athletes, and the pre and post-game babbling. Show the game in real-time, forget all of the predictions, critiques, second-guessing and final summaries. They are unnecessary and add nothing to the game except distraction and raising the ire of fans who might disagree with some opinion or observation of an “expert”.
So my law, which would incorporate no gossiping, no political conversations, and no sports analysis, might lead to a more peaceful and less agitated world. What do you think?
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