CivilDiscourse.io
A platform for real conversations across disagreements
The problem has become glaringly obvious to me: the conversations that are happening on social media are far too often antagonistic, disrespectful, unconstructive, contemptuous and divisive. I believe I have some insight into some of the causes, as well as several possible mechanisms to right the situation.
I believe that constructive dialogue is absolutely essential to any kind of good society and real progress; I am witnessing a great regression and undermining of our culture, and our ability to converse across divides of disagreement.
I have decided to use the phrase "civil discourse" to describe a constructive kind of conversation; the kind of conversation that could see us all treating each other with respect, learning from one another, coming to agreement on problems and issues. and actually working out solutions to the challenges we collectively face.
This project is just a landing page for now; I don't know if it will ultimately manifest in a software platform I develop myself, or in some other form; but the core idea and driving motivation is profoundly important to me.
As with my other projects, my energy to work on this could be enlivened quickly by any expressions of enthusiasm or interest in collaboration by others - so feel free to post a comment or send me a message about this!
1 Comment
I think this is a great undertaking and we need more such initiatives! I image this will be hard work as it's a very prickly topic.
Society and civilization is definitely on the decline, mainly because I think we don't listen to each other anymore, especially people we don't agree with, nor do we have the social skills and protocol to be able to reason and have a civil debate without triggering someone's fear-centre from an already over-swollen amygdala which is bombarded with bad news on a daily basis.
I hold to the 5th Habit in the 7 habits of highly effective people for a healthy discourse, "first seek to understand, before attempting to be understood".
Good luck and I'm very curious to see how this pans out!