The Debating Society

I detest debate but I truly enjoy meaningful discussions.  There is a huge difference.  Debate is about winning an argument.  Discussion is an exchange of ideas and viewpoints that can be educational.  There is no education in a debate because the participants are singularly focused on winning.

Society today is all about debate.  Each side of a political argument wants only to win.  There are no compromises and no middle ground, only a win or loss.  It makes no sense since those same people insist that every child gets a trophy.

We can learn from each other if we will learn to discuss without the vitriol which is often present in debate.  Cogent arguments on behalf of one's position are not the same as debate.  They don't ignore the other's position but support a point of view.  We also must listen.  We must listen with the desire to understand why someone believes the way they do.  We should never belittle their position but help them to understand there is merit in other views and hope that we can clearly explain the merit of our own or perhaps change our position with enlightenment.

We had several Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) land in one of the large Sweetgum trees near our house the other evening.  Listening to their whistling chatter reminded me of the constant bickering on social media.  Some were bullies and some were bullied.  All chattered constantly as they sat on limbs looking down on the rest of the world.