Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg Contempt-free public discourse (with Robert Rosenkranz)
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Oct 29, 2025 
Robert Rosenkranz, a philanthropist and founder of Open to Debate, dives into the nuances of fostering contempt-free public discourse. He discusses the importance of debate formats in changing opinions and the decline of meaningful political discussions. Rosenkranz explores the impact of social media and identity on public polarization, emphasizing the need for open dialogue on controversial topics. He also addresses the philosophy of philanthropy, advocating for value-driven approaches that prioritize impact and the cultivation of critical thinking skills.
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Debate As A Stoic Practice
- Debate embodies Stoic values: open-mindedness, critical thinking, and humility about one's views.
- Robert Rosenkranz frames debate as creating a "contempt-free zone" that privileges facts and logic over emotion and ideology.
Good Intentions, Bad Political Incentives
- Several well-intended reforms shifted political incentives toward extremes and outrage economics.
- Gerrymandering, small-dollar fundraising, network fragmentation, and social media all pushed polarization.
Open To Debate Founded To Change Minds
- Rosenkranz founded Open To Debate to pull people out of echo chambers and foster listening and persuasion.
- Live voting showed ~30% of audience members changed their minds after debates, demonstrating impact.
