In my book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, I show why civility—basic respect for others—is essential to a free society. Here’s a story that exemplifies why.
In the early 2000s, Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a campaign against rudeness in New York City. Subway riders and showgoers could be fined fifty dollars for inconsiderately resting their feet on a bench or for using their phones during movies or Broadway shows. The city’s noise code was overhauled to crack down on loud nightclubs and barking dogs and to promote neighborhood peace. Cell phones were banned in movie theaters, and smoking was banned in public places.
Read Full Article »