Have you heard the expression "more heat than light"? It means that a discussion makes people angry without providing solutions or answers.
Our political climate would be an example. There are few politicians who speak in public in other than a partisan way. They make people angry. They provide few solutions.
Then you can get some of the media involved in this circus like MSNBC and, of course, Fox News.
It occurred to me that we should take that expression more seriously and that we have some good metaphors for how we engage each other. Think about sources of light.
The candle: produces very little light and disproportionately much heat. You generally don't want to touch a burning candle unless you have an affinity for third degree burns.
The incandescent light: can produce a great deal of light but carries a good deal of heat with it. Think about the last time you touched an incandescent light that was on. No fun, regardless of the wattage. Second degree burns result.
The fluorescent light: even more light and less heat. Still uncomfortable but the worst you'll get is a first degree burn, light a mild sunburn.
The LED: lots of light, especially in aggregate. Cool enough to hold in your hand (and many of us do).
What do you want to be? Be a (LED) light.
