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I think the most valuable thing here is to not jump to a negative assumption about people, something I wish it followed more closely in its other points. Virtually anyone who has a very different perspective than the group will face friction, and handling that friction gracefully isn't something that comes naturally to most people. People can get stuck in a pattern of handling the friction poorly, but the group as a whole also has the opportunity for grace and understanding that can diffuse the problem, if that is something that is valuable to them.
 help



I'm someone who is good at those situations, and what I've learned is that no matter how much you disagree, there's always something that you can agree on. If you're stuck in disagreement, zoom out, and try to move back to a position that you both can agree on.

It's also important to not compromise on values you find personally fundamental for the sake of "finding common ground". It depends on the matters being discussed. Assume good faith, attempt to find common understanding by zooming out, but stand firm when you have zoomed out as far as you feel comfortable. If you push past that, you run the risk of validating insane or dangerous behavior or opinions.

When I say find common ground I mean things that you (both) already agree with, i.e. it's bad to kill people, it's good to help people in need.

It wasn't my intention to advocate for 'compromising on values' rather, I think the best way to do any discussion is being honest, and that starts with being honest about your values.

I think the whole point of my method is to identify who is the person that's compromising their values, i.e. someone who agrees with "it's good to help people" but then disagree with social healthcare shows that somewhere on the imaginary line between helping people and social healthcare that person flips their opinion, which is incredibly helpful information in debating.


yes, this. zooming out doesn't mean moving away from my values, but moving away from the disagreement, to facets that we agree on. then build rapport on that, and figure out what causes the difference in opinion.

Unless your primary concern is "winning".

Then step one is to cast the other fellow as the enemy, and then you create a case against him, leading the conversation in the appropriate direction.

It's a popular way to do it. See all of social media for examples.


> Unless your primary concern is "winning".

That's something the OP could add to his guide: approach every interaction as a contest you must win.




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