TED Talks Daily How to disagree with respect — not hate | Spencer J. Cox
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Aug 6, 2024 
Spencer J. Cox, the Republican governor of Utah, talks about the power of respectful disagreement in today's polarized landscape. He shares insights from a viral campaign ad he created with his Democratic opponent, emphasizing civility in politics. Cox discusses four actionable steps we can take to bridge divides in our communities. He highlights the importance of civil discourse for democracy and encourages meaningful interactions with diverse voices, urging listeners to step away from conflict-driven narratives.
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2016 Election Disruption
- Spencer Cox, as Lieutenant Governor, witnessed firsthand the fragility of democracy.
- Protesters in 2016 tried to pressure him into changing election results, foreshadowing the 2020 election upheaval.
Viral Campaign Ad
- Cox and his Democratic opponent, Chris Peterson, created a bipartisan campaign ad promoting respectful disagreement.
- The ad unexpectedly went viral, highlighting a public desire for less divisive politics.
Depolarization Experiment
- A Stanford study confirmed the ad's depolarizing effect, reducing urges towards violence.
- This suggests positive interventions can mitigate political extremism.