HSL Critical Discourse

• Create Trust
• Create an In-Group Dynamic
• Possible Sunday Service thing.
  • Upside: Avoiding the antichristians.
  • Downside: Losing the religious counterpoint.
• HSL Email Thread Subject: "Just an idea"

Manifesto

We Value:

1. Inclusion over Exclusion
2. Research over Opinion
3. Benevolence over Doctrine
4. Critical Thinking over Common Sense
5. Construction over Criticism
6. Society over Self
7. Discourse over Rhetoric
8. Illumination over Conclusion
9. Discovering Truth over Being Right
10. Active Listening over Talking
11. Building Trust over Scoring Points

Topics

• WorkingTogether

Equipment

• 1 minute sand timers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JR8LCM
• 30 second sand timers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079BV9FBQ

Concept

Ever since "Hot Talk" became big on talk radio in the 1980s (and perhaps before), media has pushed ever further into radicalizing discourse. From traditional media to social media, the landscape of conversation is strewn with landmines.

I am creating a space where people can talk without rancor on opposite sides of volatile topics: guns, abortion, capitalism, socialism, poverty, and religion, to name a few.

And to be open and honest, part of it is about intellectual elitism. I miss working at Amazon and being surrounded by people who think deeply and work hard at challenging their own beliefs.

That doesn't mean you have to have some particular history or credentials to participate. The goal is to move the discourse forward on complex topics. Having a solid study statistics from Johns Hopkins is important, but being an attentive listener and representing the curious neophyte is equally valuable.

But at the same time, I want to avoid the discourse being dragged down by repeatedly showing the evidence that Earth is an oblate spheroid. Or, at least, I want to folks to be able to develop "Answer 324." Create a QR code that has all the evidence that refutes Flat Earth.

So, maybe, another way to put it is: I want people to feel free to discuss any topic, but I also want large amounts of readily available evidence to outweigh heartfelt opinion. Ideally that is just a restatement of "work hard at challenging their own beliefs."

Mechanisms

I started thinking through the mechanisms, then asked GPT's opinion, which aligned with most of what I had been thinking and has some additions I like:

Creating a constructive and respectful environment for discussing highly charged topics is crucial, especially among high intellect critical thinkers who may hold strong and diverse opinions. Here are methods, practices, tools, and rules to help keep the discussions productive and supportive:

1. Establish Clear Ground Rules
   • **Respect and Civility**: Emphasize the importance of respect and civility. Everyone must agree to listen without interrupting and to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.
   • **No Personal Attacks**: Focus on ideas and arguments rather than personal critiques. Disagreements should be about the topic, not the person.
   • **Confidentiality**: To foster open and honest discussion, agree that personal stories or arguments shared within the group stay within the group.
2. Use a Facilitator
   • Assign a facilitator for each table, someone skilled in guiding discussions, ensuring everyone has a chance to speak, and keeping the conversation on track. The facilitator can also intervene if the discussion becomes unproductive or disrespectful.
3. Start with Common Ground
   • Begin discussions by identifying areas of agreement before delving into the areas of dispute. This sets a collaborative tone and reminds participants of shared values or goals.
4. Encourage Active Listening
   • Encourage participants to practice active listening, which involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said.
   • Consider using a talking piece—a physical object that grants the holder the exclusive right to speak, ensuring others listen actively.
5. Structured Formats
   • Use structured discussion formats, such as the Oxford-style debate or the Socratic Seminar, which provide clear frameworks for discussion and can help keep conversations focused and productive.
6. Breakout Sessions
   • For particularly divisive topics, consider breakout sessions where smaller groups discuss aspects of the topic. This can allow for more in-depth exploration and reduce the likelihood of confrontations.
7. Provide Educational Resources
   • Before meetings, provide participants with articles, videos, or other resources on the upcoming topics. A common base of knowledge can elevate the discussion and focus on informed opinions.
8. Reflective Pause
   • Introduce a reflective pause or cooling-off period if discussions get heated. A short break can help participants collect their thoughts and calm emotions.
9. Agree to Disagree
   • Acknowledge that consensus may not always be possible and that it's okay to respectfully disagree. The goal is to understand different perspectives, not necessarily to change minds.
10. Feedback Loop
    • At the end of each discussion, solicit feedback on the process and how it could be improved. This can help refine the approach and ensure that the environment remains productive and supportive.

By implementing these strategies, you can foster a respectful and intellectually stimulating environment where critical thinkers can explore and discuss complex and controversial topics productively.