Compromise
Main Entry:1com·pro·mise
Pronunciation:\ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz\
Function:noun
Etymology:Middle English, mutual promise to abide by an arbiter’s decision, from Anglo-French compromisse, from Latin compromissum, from neuter of compromissus, past participle of compromittere to promise mutually, from com- + promittere to promise — more at promise
Date:15th century
1 a: settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions b: something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things
2: a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial
Main Entry:2compromise
Function:verb
Inflected Form(s):compromised; compromis·ing
Date:1598
transitive verb
1obsolete : to bind by mutual agreement
2: to adjust or settle by mutual concessions
3 a: to expose to suspicion, discredit, or mischief b: to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person and especially to an enemy c: to cause the impairment of
intransitive verb
1 a: to come to agreement by mutual concession b: to find or follow a way between extremes
2: to make a shameful or disreputable concession
It seems that in the 21st Century the art of compromise is nearly dead. Those who seek to please more individuals by attempting to understand all sides of a situation are ignored or admonished or even – gods forbid – ridiculed. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with seeing all sides of an arguement or other situation.
Why is it so wrong to compromise? Why is it now only acceptable to have your way entirely or not at all?
Most of the kids growing up today have a terrible sense of entitlement. Compromise is not part of their language. Mr. Rogers told them they were all so special – the fact is, he wasn’t doing them any favours.
We’ve entered an age where we are seeing more and more extremist reactions than ever before. This trend started well before 9/11, but people were so hyped up for revenge for the attacks and stirred up by Dubbya’s war rhetoric of “You are either with the terrorists or you are with us,” that people took it to heart.
That limited way of thinking ha crept into mainstream thinking and a once fringe cult of extremists have taken center stage.
And I agree with Alan. The youth’s sense of entitlement has only exacerbated the situation to dangerous levels.
These things tend to run in cycles, as most things do, so I don’t foresee this Idiot Age lasting much longer.
Okay Alan… you’re treading on thin ice, there, dissing Mr Rogers.
I grew up watching him and I have no sense of entitlement. Don’t blame him. Blame the parents of these kids who grew up having nothing “handed to them on a silver platter” and swore internally that no child of theirs would want for anything and above all else they kept that promise. Little Johnny and Mary could do no wrong – even when they did.
This lack of consideration for the other side’s way of thinking scares me more than anything.