Hi friends,
It’s starting to feel like summer! After reflecting on how to spice up this newsletter beyond the updates from each subsidiary of Ankord, I’ve decided to dedicate three out of the four newsletters each month to deep dives into the ideas, philosophies, technologies, and stories that influence the content I create and the companies I incubate.
Don't worry, you'll still get regular updates on all the latest happenings at Audo, Nota, Guin Records, The Doe, and more! At the end of each month, I'll wrap up all the exciting developments within the Ankord Labs portfolio and the latest projects at Ankord Media. However, on other weeks, you can now expect deep dives into the issues, philosophies, ideas, and technologies that impact me—and hopefully spark thought-provoking conversations for you.
This Week’s Focus: Civil Discourse During the 2024 US Election Year
Civil discourse is the art of discussing divisive and uncomfortable issues in a way that fosters understanding and productive exchange, even when there are disagreements. American democracy is built on the principle of free and cooperative sharing of ideas: public debate is a part of who we are as a nation.
In my first book, I'm Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World, I emphasize that civil discourse is a continuous process requiring hard work and a desire to find common ground. The rewards of effective communication are profound: collaboration of ideas, production of art, social progress in government, scientific and technological progress, and a more pleasant day-to-day life with people around you. Let’s discuss civil discourse in our society today and what we can do to improve it.
Civil Discourse in America Today
The past eight months have been a period of intense sorrow and escalating tensions. This past weekend marked eight months since the heinous Hamas attack on Israeli civilians. In response, Israeli Defense Forces have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, many of whom are women and children. Conditions in Gaza are bleak and worsening. The lack of a swift resolution to this devastating conflict is deeply concerning, and international intervention requires more discourse than ever.
The impact of this conflict extends far beyond the immediate region. Here in the United States, the highly charged nature of the issue has severely damaged civil discourse during this election year. Fear of being labeled anti-Semitic or “genocide-complicit” by people we love or in positions of power has led many to self-censor and silence their opinions. This silence is damaging for building and maintaining trust and connection in relationships with people we care about, which grows to being damaging for the social fabric of the country. Disagreements can turn into arguments that drive wedges, but silence prevents the opportunity to gain empathy and the pursuit of a common ground altogether.
Furthermore, people often make assumptions about each other's political stances at the broad level rather than being curious about specific opinions and stances on issues. This complacency can not only drive a wedge between individuals but can also lead to a lack of civic engagement and informed citizenry. Fear of inquiring about someone’s perspective and being closed off to having one’s mind changed will inevitably cause relationships to stagnate and deteriorate.
The Importance of Civil Discourse During Elections
While this letter may feel like a lecture you didn’t sign up for, reminders of the importance of civil discourse how to cultivate it in your life are especially critical during an election year. Respectful discourse facilitates the exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives, allowing for the formation of well-informed decisions and, ultimately, social progress.
It’s not that loyalists of Trump or the Democratic Party are unwilling to listen to each other, but they are often unwilling to change their perspective or collaborate in such a way to find common ground. This may be partly because our two-party system has once again chosen to back candidates who prefer to look backward rather than innovate and inspire a sense of pragmatism. Or perhaps it’s because people may be more open to backing extreme viewpoints after years of continued grooming of one’s perspective by social media echo chambers. Whatever the answer is, I believe people are tired of a bureaucratic system that offers uninspiring candidates who drive extremist policies, while the majority of Americans want moderate representatives who push for common sense laws, minimize government spending, and invest back in people and infrastructure.
The rapid spread of information, particularly through social media, damages the social fabric and the ability to conduct civil discourse. AI exacerbates this by making it easy to create misinformation, but social media allows for the instant spread of this information. People believe they are informed, but often, they are in echo chambers, becoming more extreme in their stances without reflecting on their values and educating themselves on alternative perspectives. True empathy comes from understanding someone else's different perspective, and from empathy comes cooperation, which drives progress.
Strategies for More Civil Discourse
In my first book, I'm Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World, I include strategies for improving civil discourse in your daily life. Here are four strategies with examples from election season:
- Active Listening and Understanding: When discussing a divisive issue like immigration or healthcare, focus on understanding why someone supports a different approach. Ask questions about their experiences and reasons, demonstrating a genuine interest in their perspective. This approach fosters mutual respect and can lead to more productive dialogue.
- Using Respectful Language and Avoiding Personal Attacks: During debates about topics such as California's high taxes or Texas’ strict abortion laws, maintain a constructive atmosphere by using respectful language. Avoid personal attacks and focus on discussing the issue itself. This helps prevent discussions from becoming confrontational and keeps the focus on finding common ground.
- Recognizing and Mitigating Personal Biases: Reflect on your own biases before engaging in discussions about contentious issues like homelessness or public safety. Acknowledge your background and experiences that shape your views, and be open to hearing different perspectives. This self-awareness can reduce defensiveness and promote more balanced conversations.
- Acknowledging Opposing Viewpoints While Arguing Your Own: In discussions about divisive topics, such as the southern border immigration issues, openly acknowledge the validity of opposing solutions and viewpoints. Understanding someone’s vision for the future can lead to more nuanced and constructive discussions.
In an election season marked by heightened tensions and polarized opinions, fostering civil discourse is crucial for maintaining a healthy democratic process. Engaging in these strategies can contribute to a more informed electorate and a more cohesive society.
Of course, to explore these strategies in greater depth, I encourage you to purchase a copy of my book or listen to me read it on Audible. But more importantly, embrace debate and discussion during this election season. Learn about the perspectives of others and be open to having your mind changed. Many of us might be tempted to tune out, but we owe it to ourselves and future generations to be engaged, collaborative, and pragmatic.
These skills are like muscles—the more we use them, the stronger they become. Next week, I’m looking forward to unpacking the fascinating philosophy of transhumanism and bio-hacking with you. Stay tuned for a mind-bending exploration of what’s next!
Heading out for a little sunshine,
Milan
