I feel like the colloquial version of that is looking to pick a fight. You know, I think disagreeing is one language of communication. It's one way of talking about the things that matter in our relationships. And it's the one that we sometimes reach for when the emotions are running. The better thing there probably is to admit to those fears, for example. Just say to them, you know, just hear me out here,. rather than defaulting to disagreement as an option.
World champion debater Bo Seo knows how to win an argument. He’s made it his mission to teach everyone to disagree better. Bo walks us through how to apply the most effective strategies from competitive debate to improve our disagreements at the dinner table. Bo and Maya also discuss how to determine whether an argument is worth having in the first place.
For more on Bo’s work, check out his book, “Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard.”
If you enjoyed this episode, we recommend this one from the archives: "A Black Musician Takes on the KKK."
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