How to talk to "opponents" about politics, and why I think you should try

This talk lines up with a broader conversation I want to promote. Engagement - specifically about politics - is the primary means we have to create systematic change. The oft-bemoaned "polarization" is in my opinion a pain point on the way to a more functional citizenry. Polarization reflects a lack of skills required to best use a very powerful technology platform. Because skills can be learned, I'd rather be here than to not have the platform.

Want to make the country better? Engage those you expect to disagree with you. Bring a hot beverage and be prepared for some discomfort on your way to building a better world .


Here's a related set of ideas, with minor issues.* 

A common complaint I see regarding political discourse via internet is that we either self-select for those who agree with us or fall into offense/defense mode. However, it may be that in grappling with this we effectively use technology platforms to disseminate more emotionally effective and mature means to interact with conflict. I'd like to think that we turn a current negative into a net positive, if you view, as a positive, the frank and calm evaluation of political positions on their factual merits.

* finding common ground for the purpose of winning someone over might work, but is a distant second to internalizing that we all actually *are* in the same boat and even suffer from the same kinds of biases and defenses. A strain of this (just one example) is the irrational use of "rationality" to assert rhetorical dominance. In my view, this is simple aggression (ie, irrational if the goal is to create change) and will thus spark a defensive posture in most recipients. Asserting rationality - here, dominance - isn't partnering with someone in order to dissolve a potential conflict. And it isn't recognizing them as human, with shared foibles (that the aggressor may not happen to suffer at the moment). It's trying to win, which aside from friendly verbal sparring, arises from viewing someone as "other." This is tribal.

Also not thrilled with communicating "tribal" using cartoonish Native Americans, but I get that it visually communicates the point.