Attention!

In my college classes we discussed what it takes to get an audience’s attention. “What is the role of artistry vs. the shock value of a moment?” “What does it take to get your attention?” Often, wardrobe malfunctions, same-sex stage kisses, erotic dance moves, suggestive lyrics, outrageous tweets, and other examples entered the mix. An idealist might say that true artistry, the ability to perform well, choosing good material, and so on are more important than whatever an artist does to draw attention to their “brand.” However, we need to acknowledge that even the best performer needs to find a way to get attention, or all their hard work will amount to very little. Would Elvis have become a world-wide star without his famous pelvis? We can debate what is appropriate, but it seems to me an artist or entertainer needs to walk a fine line between cultivating their ability and attracting an audience, especially in the age of social media. Furthermore, audience attention spans can become pitifully short in a time when we can access practically anyone’s work 24/7.

Many people in the public eye push the limits of propriety to gain a large following. Several prominent comedians come to mind. And perhaps, there is no better example than Donald Trump, who is a master of making statements that fire up his followers. No matter what anyone thinks of his opinions, it’s almost impossible to argue that he doesn’t know how to get attention. Even his opposition hangs on his every word, and news outlets feel compelled to report everything he says. Inevitably, some are offended while others feel he’s their man. It seems to me he hasn’t had an original or well-informed thought in decades, but nevertheless his ability to attract attention has made his name a household word. Many persons with better comprehension and greater depth of character simply lack his ability to build and maintain a following. This is the importance of attention. Politicians understand that an ounce of attention is worth a pound of good ideas.

The problem is, skirting the edge of what’s acceptable can lead us to extremes. There can be no center, no middle ground, because someone on the edge can label the center as a “radical” position, at least from their perspective. And the center is often overwhelmed by the noise of the extremes. We hear candidates claiming to be an “extreme conservative” or a “true progressive,” whatever these terms mean. I’m not sure what the word “conservative” means to some. I consider myself an Eisenhower-style conservative and it seems to me many on the right have adopted an extreme position that many old-school conservatives would have at least questioned. But that’s not my point.

A recent slap in the face drew worldwide attention. Both the participants are major artists with abilities that should make the slap seem insignificant by comparison. Yet, the slap and the reasons for and against it have become the focus of attention. Putting aside that debate, perhaps we should ask why things get to the point of physical violence. Why is there no middle ground between just putting up with things that hurt or offend and striking out at another person? Why is there too often no intermediate step between “sticks and stones” silence and settling things with a gun?

We live in a world in which social skills fail to address disputes constructively. Fred Rogers sang,

“What do you do with the mad that you feel — When you feel so mad you could bite? — When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong — And nothing you do seems very right? — What do you do? Do you punch a bag? — Do you pound some clay or some dough? — Do you round up friends for a game of tag? — Or see how fast you go?

It’s great to be able to stop — When you’ve planned a thing that’s wrong, — And be able to do something else instead — And think this song:

I can stop when I want to — Can stop when I wish — I can stop, stop, stop any time. — And what a good feeling to feel like this — And know that the feeling is really mine. — Know that there’s something deep inside — That helps us become what we can. — For a girl can be someday a woman — And a boy can be someday a man.”

Despite Mr. Rogers’ good advice for kids, we still have mass-shootings – Columbine, Sandy Hook, and far too many others. Some people get caught up in the heat of the moment and lash out. Others have taken all they can stand and then they explode. We need a less extreme strategy. Something in the middle ground between sucking it up and hurting someone. We need to find constructive ways of dealing with conflict. It doesn’t help that some people will go to great lengths to manufacture outrage. It doesn’t help that nations still find excuses to go to war when diplomacy will work better for millions.

Part of the strategy I’m thinking about is to seek the center. To find ways to call out and stop bad behavior without just putting up with it until we hit a breaking point. To find ways to be offended about the things that ought to offend us and to stop trying to find new ways to be offended. To find ways to stop lying about what the other side is doing or plans to do. To find ways to stop virtue signaling and just be virtuous.

The extremes are killing us. Literally. Yeats had this to say:

“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…”

The left and right flanks must support the center, not assert their independence or dominance. Extremes are only good to the extent that they recognize the importance of the middle ground. Too much attention on gaining attention can destroy the middle. In the end, expertise, artistry, and performance count. To the extremes, I say, “Stop!” before “mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”