Compassionate Communication Breeds Change

To Change A Society, Change How It Communicates!

 
In the United States' political sphere, everyone seems to be so preoccupied with being right.  Granted, this is probably nothing new, as humans can be so extraordinarily stubborn and prideful (and defensive) about whether they are right or wrong (whether they are actually right or wrong).

While I think it's understandable and at times necessary for conversations to gravitate toward this focus, I think it is also extremely important that it not be the main focus; case in point: the politically polarized climate in the United States.  Extremely vocal left, extremely vocal right.

Not much going on with the moderates.

People have raised their voices loudly for their own values, but have in all honesty tended toward a 'preaching to the choir' mode of communication that does little to positively impact the opponents of their values.  Pro-Choice/Pro-Abortion vs. Pro-Life/Anti-Abortion; Evolution vs. "Intelligent" Design; Gay Marriage vs. "Traditional" Marriage... the list obviously goes on, and I could rattle on many more clearly polarizing social issues, but clearly in all of these arguments one finds that there is no clear conversation on what is to be gained from these conversations.  What is the problem we are trying to seek a resolution to?  What are the fears and desires behind the stances each speaker has taken?  How are we to address them and move forward?

Simply put, I do not believe these conversations are productive at all.  How could they be though, when it devolves into which Libtard/Rethuglican said what, and who is a baby killer, and who is a backward blah blah blah...

Our society has forgotten the art of productive communication, and it is something I lament.

I believe that if we were all to learn the art of debate as part of our Language Arts curriculum in school, to spot logical fallacies, insufficient evidence, and the like, and if we were to allow ourselves to debate EVERYTHING, the truth - that is, those arguments which are solid and well-supported - will be revealed.  Of course.. this would only work if people were more interested in solving problems than stroking their own egos while sitting atop their high, beautifully maned horses, whilst riding off into the sunset, spurred on by all the people they left coughing in the dust behind them..

I digress.

Source: loving-community.com/tag/compassionate-listening

What is needed is a society that respects facts, respects questioning, and respects that those in power or those arguments which - if implemented in reality - would have great influence over the lives of others should be questioned.  What is needed is a culture which supports those who are willing to lay aside their own egos and admit when they are wrong, or to admit that - in the case of religion or other faith-based ideologies especially - that while a lack of evidence is not an impediment to their own beliefs, faith should not be expected to hold merit to others as worthy support for an argument.  What is needed is a society of individuals who are willing to look beyond their own limited grasp of reality in order to see the faults in the system they live within, in order to see who is negatively impacted by that system and to ameliorate the society's institutions to correct for those negative externalities.

Self-reflection, compassion, critical thinking, curiosity, and action.  If we are to end this polarization, this dry spell of thoughtful communication.  These are the tools we need to implement, and sooner than later please.

_____________________________
Changing  the world one thought at a time...