FT News Briefing FT Weekend: Morality in the Twitter era. Plus: China’s language revolution
Apr 30, 2022
Dan Brooks, a writer known for his incisive commentary on social media, discusses how we've become adept at recognizing moral failings but struggle with personal morality. He uses everyday analogies to illustrate the complexities of ethical behavior online. Jing Tsu, a Yale professor and author, shares the fascinating journey of China's language standardization, transforming an intricate system into something usable on keyboards, which played a pivotal role in making China a tech powerhouse. Their conversation delves into morality and modern digital communication.
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English Instruction's Impact
- Dan Brooks blames the way English is taught for the current state of moral discourse.
- He believes focusing on evaluating the moral implications of texts has trained a generation to see everything through a moral lens.
Moral Marketing
- Dan Brooks cites Yum! Brands’ press release about a Megan Thee Stallion Doritos promotion.
- He highlights the cynical use of moral language to market snack chips.
Focus on Action, Not Inaction
- Accept that doing bad things is inevitable and focus on a positive morality centered on action.
- Avoid a negative, sin-focused morality that discourages positive actions.
