Posted on Apr 1, 2015
Meta Discussion: Starting a Discussion - Dividing the Room
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As I am wont to do while driving (which is about 25% of my job), I was listening to the Adam Carolla Podcast. They brought up a topic of interest, which hearkened back to an earlier one in another thread.
"The mark of a good discussion topic is that it divides the room"
Since RallyPoint is about submitting discussion topics, I thought I would through this out there, and see what people thought.
When "we" (the collective members) submit items, are we aiming for interest, agreement, divide, insight, or something else? How are we doing on "dividing the room?"
"The mark of a good discussion topic is that it divides the room"
Since RallyPoint is about submitting discussion topics, I thought I would through this out there, and see what people thought.
When "we" (the collective members) submit items, are we aiming for interest, agreement, divide, insight, or something else? How are we doing on "dividing the room?"
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 4
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This forum gives me an opportunity to hear a multitude of voice from across the spectrum of veterans, past, current and future (cadets) Veterans.
Sometimes I push a topic to try to share experiences and hopefully expand some thoughts....as in Police Body cams as well as the leadership development discussions, everyone has a voice - the challenge is are we listening....
Sometimes I push a topic to try to share experiences and hopefully expand some thoughts....as in Police Body cams as well as the leadership development discussions, everyone has a voice - the challenge is are we listening....
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I think for the most part we do a good job posting "topics that divide the room", however, how we react to those is when the trouble begins. Many of the topics posted here do one of two things: Either, they provide a forum for multiple view points in which many people can contribute various ideas OR they have an issue that comes down to black and white (sometimes there is a gray option hidden in there that someone will find but it isn't always popular). So, since the "mark of a good discussion topic is that it divides the room" we will forget about the first type and focus on the second.
Here we find that we have these good topics that divide the room but the problem is that the person posting it did not come here looking for dissenting opinions or vigorous debate. No, they came with the intention of validating their opinion/point through the support of others and to proselytize or otherwise argue with those who might disagree. So all too often people enter the discussion somewhat on the fence (in that gray area I spoke of) and lay out an opinion that is along the "via media" or middle road. Well, because that opinion is not 100% in support of the posters idea, they are told they are wrong all too often and they can't even find the common ground that at least one of them knows is there (as you might be able to tell this happens to me often). So we while our discussion topics are "good" our ability to interact with the topic and one another is woefully lacking.
TL;DNR - We post good topics but we don't know how to have a decent discussion or debate
Here we find that we have these good topics that divide the room but the problem is that the person posting it did not come here looking for dissenting opinions or vigorous debate. No, they came with the intention of validating their opinion/point through the support of others and to proselytize or otherwise argue with those who might disagree. So all too often people enter the discussion somewhat on the fence (in that gray area I spoke of) and lay out an opinion that is along the "via media" or middle road. Well, because that opinion is not 100% in support of the posters idea, they are told they are wrong all too often and they can't even find the common ground that at least one of them knows is there (as you might be able to tell this happens to me often). So we while our discussion topics are "good" our ability to interact with the topic and one another is woefully lacking.
TL;DNR - We post good topics but we don't know how to have a decent discussion or debate
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
I look for a little of all of the items you brought up, it keeps the tip of the spear sharp. Granted some, I believe, are looking to kick the hornets nest...but even when they do the democracy of RP and the members level it out.
I look for a little of all of the items you brought up, it keeps the tip of the spear sharp. Granted some, I believe, are looking to kick the hornets nest...but even when they do the democracy of RP and the members level it out.
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