A cottage industry of well-meaning people focused on improving civil discourse has emerged. It’s welcome, but what’s the real intent, and what does success look like?
Hi Kelly, I work closely with Mariah, Zach, and many others in the "cottage industry" you describe! :) I can share with you a very extensive resource directory, built over seven years. It includes grassroots orgs, media assets, books, etc. I'll reach out through Mariah, or else please connect with me at kristin@civichealthproject.org. Thx!
One of the things I have observed over the years is the political saliency factor. The less attention an issue gets in the press, the more bipartisan the Members behave. The other extreme is something like a hearing for a Supreme Court Justice where everyone has to say something. It leads to the maxim that “everything has been said, but not everyone has said it yet.”
Thanks for the mention, Kelly. Another org I’d point to is “Crossing Party Lines” where I am a trained / certified moderator. One thing that I discovered in a series of unscientific interviews with folks across various spectrum, political and otherwise, is that many of us, on the left and the right who are frustrated with the division and acrimony, when pushed want a solution where those on the “other side” come to their senses and agree with us, and that’s how we eliminate polarization, lol.
Exactly, and it is, as I said, very self-defeating. We won't eliminate polarization until we focus more on how we debate than on trying to persuade each other. The persuasion comes much later, when trust is built, if then. People who have changed their minds or views over the years do so independently, based on input from several people and their thought processes. It's how I went from being "pro-choice" to "pro-life." I'm sure others traversed in the opposite direction.
Hi Kelly, I work closely with Mariah, Zach, and many others in the "cottage industry" you describe! :) I can share with you a very extensive resource directory, built over seven years. It includes grassroots orgs, media assets, books, etc. I'll reach out through Mariah, or else please connect with me at kristin@civichealthproject.org. Thx!
Thanks, Kristin, I suspected a good resource list existed somewhere. I will be glad to reach out to you directly.
I also just sent you a note through Mariah
Thanks for shout out, Kelly. Only just noticed this. I'll share this via a few places.
You are most welcome. Thanks for your good work.
One of the things I have observed over the years is the political saliency factor. The less attention an issue gets in the press, the more bipartisan the Members behave. The other extreme is something like a hearing for a Supreme Court Justice where everyone has to say something. It leads to the maxim that “everything has been said, but not everyone has said it yet.”
Spot on. thanks.
I think we all need to learn new skills to talk to each other. That’s what I focus on in my Substack Mending Fractured Relationships
Thanks for the mention, Kelly. Another org I’d point to is “Crossing Party Lines” where I am a trained / certified moderator. One thing that I discovered in a series of unscientific interviews with folks across various spectrum, political and otherwise, is that many of us, on the left and the right who are frustrated with the division and acrimony, when pushed want a solution where those on the “other side” come to their senses and agree with us, and that’s how we eliminate polarization, lol.
Exactly, and it is, as I said, very self-defeating. We won't eliminate polarization until we focus more on how we debate than on trying to persuade each other. The persuasion comes much later, when trust is built, if then. People who have changed their minds or views over the years do so independently, based on input from several people and their thought processes. It's how I went from being "pro-choice" to "pro-life." I'm sure others traversed in the opposite direction.
Always thoughtful and well-written