It’s the end of summer. The light is already streakier. Business is returning to normal. Politics becomes politics again, opinions solidify. And there is material. The world is literally on fire. Hostile social networks, the planet in Broil. Opinions of hardened steel collide, sparks arise. It’s barely September and the volume is already in the carpet…
Published at 1:27 am. Updated at 9:00 a.m.
During this time, La Presse changed from a debate section to a dialogue section. From a metal band to a harpsichord sonata, evil tongues will appreciate it.
I have always advocated for more debate in the media and hosted television shows that focus heavily on this genre, from There Will Be Sport to BazzoTV. As a producer, I suggested a certain number of them. Many claim that in Quebec we don’t know how to debate, that our society is too consensus-oriented to adopt the debate codes and that we are afraid of the legendary harassment. If we see that there is an argument, we expect it. While a civilized debate relies precisely on momentum, emphasis, evasions and justified attacks. The life of ideas is rewarded.
But I have to make it up to you. I, who passionately love debate, its lifeblood, have noticed that in our increasingly divided society – where sectarianism, uninhibited social networks and radicalism are rife – current media debate has often been in the service of reason for some time. Times are bad. Disinformation, distrust of media and elites are so great that the most violent forms of debate may be counterproductive to the well-being of society.
I remain convinced, perhaps naively, that we need to hear all voices and all opinions, and that if we silence some of them, even the most unpleasant ones, we create a democratic barrier, a collapse of legitimacy. Reality is no longer shared. In this context, the debate becomes a bitter battle of narratives. Maybe there are other ways to acknowledge our opposing viewpoints than yelling at each other or looking down on each other.
As a television producer, I am currently thinking about and working on shows that talk about current, sometimes even controversial, topics. But I avoid the vehement tone of confrontation. I prefer discussion, explanation, dialogue. The idea is to build bridges, even shaky ones, rather than arbitrarily digging further ideological trenches.
I dream of a peaceful, argued “debate” based on data and knowledge facts. Lively but polite, with a touch of humanism. In Quebec we are a small, sparsely populated society. You have to invite as many people to the table as possible, respect unspoken rules. We talk, we argue, we step back, we move forward. We breathe through our noses, we carry on. In fact, in these divided times and in this corrupt society, my ideal debate should be a comprehensive DISCUSSION.
We talked about troubling topics, burning topics, but avoided going behind the scenes and escaping from thinking skills, ready-made formulas and wooden language. Kind of a safe space, but less intrusive. However, the art of discussion is not an easy way out.
What should you do if, for example, large parts of the population believe that the fires on Maui were started by satellites equipped with lasers in order to drive out the residents of Lahaina in favor of the rich? Do we ignore them, laugh at them, and talk in isolation in our own spaces? Being right or shouting your arguments into the echo chamber is neither courage nor debate. Democracy loses ground when we are not confronted with shocking questions. Burying problems under the collective carpet is not a democratic gesture.
So what do we do?
Are we patiently making arguments to the less sectarian people? Are we fact-checking in a condescending tone? We try to mediate in advance through debates and discussions how Quebec will do with a new course in the 2024-2025 school year. Culture and Quebec citizenship? In this context of polarization of ideas, we will teach students to argue respectfully and we will prepare them for the full exercise of their citizenship. The ability to reasoned arguments is learned and acquired. Let the debate stop being a battle of stories.
In today’s Quebec, there are numerous obstacles to peaceful dialogue: disinformation, lies, distrust of institutions and elites, intimidation, political correctness, sectarian tendencies. However, we need a common ground on which we can find the opportunity to create a society. Talk to as many people as possible who are fed up with fire, lightning and chapels.
And this big discussion will probably start outside the media, in person, between us.