Ive posted this before, mostly to get you guys to help me to add to it so that Id have a list of prescriptive behaviors for myself. But Ive found an equal and opposite use for it--to tell me whom not to engage with. Nobody else has to do things like I do, but I believe its saved me a lot of heartache and stress, and made me a better person in some measure. Maybe some of you will find it useful, too. If not, no biggie. Let me know how I can help. God bless. Those who seek to learn: 1. Ask honest questions. 2. Make concessions. 3. Adopt a consistently respectful tone. 4. Admit they might be mistaken. 5. Are willing to look at sources that disagree with their views. 6. Use words like some and sometimes. 7. Apologize when they do things from the second list. 8. Post credible resources. 9. Shift their ideas. Those who seek to undermine: 1. Only ask rhetorical questions, or questions whose purpose is to try to trap their opponents. 2. Ignore tough questions entirely rather than cede a square inch of territory--even when the territorys been decisively won. 3. Employ ad hominem and sarcasm, get upset without provocation, and use a lot of harsh language and capital letters. 4. Claim special access to the truth, including the mental inner workings of the other side. 5. Read only material that will confirm a bias. 6. Use words like all, always, never. 7. Dont apologize for anything. 8. Post memes. 9. Shift the goalposts.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 21:22:55 +0000
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