active listening

Listen to the other person, paraphrase their points, see if you have heard them well, and ensure they feel heard. There are various slightly different approaches to active listening; it is part of most effective communication techniques. One to one, make sure you don't just listen, but that the other person knows you listened. With social media posts "listening" isn't always possible, but you can still get close: make sure people realize you've read or heard their points, before diving in to your own.

By Stephen Cataldo, 28 September, 2020

Communicating the Trump Taxes — with votes in mind

Exercise 1: Progressives: In the New York Times report on Trump's taxes: what in it would disturb a possible Trump voter (not necessarily a core Trump voter) the most?

Techniques

Ask

active listening

By Stephen, 15 April, 2020

Let less people die to get the shutdowns over faster?

People are saying it's life vs the economy. That we should let coronavirus keep spreading and sacrifice some our grandparents so that young people can work. Yes. people being unable to work is a disaster in the US. People are living paycheck to paycheck and unlike Europe the government is not coming to the rescue. People are locked up with their abusers. Depression and suicide will increase. Everyone knows, everyone agrees.

But here’s the real question:

Are you willing to let less people die to get the shutdowns over faster?

Techniques

yes, and...

active listening

By Stephen, 27 November, 2018

Conservatives and "Fear" — the Yale Study

The Yale study that pretends to shift conservatives into liberals, made famous at the Washington Post (behind a firewall), finds that when

Techniques

values and priorities — tune to theirs

moral foundations values

active listening

By Stephen, 13 October, 2018

What does it mean to be a centrist amidst today's partisan brawling?

An awful lot of us are pissed off at partisanship coming from politicians — and our friends.

The ideals of a democracy where we talk to each other and are all trying to make this country better, with different views of how to make the country better, they are failing. The center is not holding.

Techniques

Tribalism, Centrism, Values

By Stephen, 1 October, 2018

Suggested Small Action: Townhall Exercise on Sexual Assault

Here's a gentle action that might change the frame for congresspeople and congressional staffs regarding sexual assault — that I hope could work well in conservative districts:

Techniques

Encourage Talk Beyond Talking-Points

active listening