Conversations with People Who Hate Me Episode 43: Throw Your Book In The Fire
Mar 30, 2022
Dylan engages with a long-time friend and critic, Amir, who openly questions the motivations behind a recent project. They delve into the complexities of receiving criticism from friends versus strangers. The conversation sparks reflection on the potential dangers of giving a platform to harmful views and whether empathy can normalize those perspectives. They explore personal connections formed through digital exchanges and ponder the impact of their discussions on activism and public perception, ultimately celebrating their evolving friendship.
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Project Origin And Broader Purpose
- Dylan began the project as a personal coping mechanism to humanize people behind hateful messages.
- He later discovered it revealed broader social-media fault lines and audiences who benefit from modeled conversations.
Start With Shared Nervousness
- When entering a difficult conversation, acknowledge mutual nervousness and commit to caring for one another.
- Use radical honesty paired with mutual care to reduce defensive reactions.
The 'Throw It In The Fire' Email
- Amir sent Dylan an email saying he might buy the book, read 30 pages, and throw it in the fire as a frustrated joke.
- That message deeply hurt Dylan because it came from a respected friend and made him question his work.
