A primer for discussing Israel and Gaza and our divided American political landscape: John Donvan in discussion with author Mónica Guzmán
Nov 24, 2023
53:15
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Monica Guzmán, author of 'How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times' discusses bridging political divides, the impact of social media on conversations, the consequence of shortening the congressional work week, the power of curiosity and understanding, changing views through open dialogue, the social risk of pursuing curiosity, and recognizing humanity in political discourse.
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Quick takeaways
Curiosity is essential in navigating polarized landscapes and can help bridge divides in discussions.
Deep divisions and lack of trust lead to misperceptions and hinder understanding, emphasizing the need to challenge assumptions and engage in more thoughtful conversations.
Deep dives
Disagreement and polarization: Understanding the heart of debates
In this podcast episode, the host explores the growing problem of polarizing disagreements in recent years. The conversation delves into the discourse surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict as an example of this issue. The guest, Monica Guzman, an author and advocate for improving the ways we disagree, emphasizes the importance of curiosity in discussions. She highlights how deep divisions and lack of trust have led to misperceptions and hindered understanding. Guzman discusses the need to challenge our assumptions and engage in more thoughtful, curiosity-driven conversations, even amidst heated and complex debates.
Misperceiving perspectives: The impact of polarization
Guzman discusses research that reveals how people tend to exaggerate extreme views and misunderstand the beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide. She emphasizes that our tendency to project animosity onto others prevents us from understanding the nuances in debates. This lack of accurate perception contributes to false binaries and hampers finding common ground. Guzman provides an example of a Facebook meme that oversimplifies the gun control debate, highlighting the consequences of discussing issues in emotionally charged spaces and within echo chambers.
The role of curiosity in bridging divides
Guzman emphasizes the value of curiosity in bridging divides and fostering understanding. She shares insights from her work with Braver Angels, an organization dedicated to bridging the political divide. By encouraging curiosity and thoughtful conversations, she believes that people can find common ground and gain a deeper understanding of opposing perspectives. Guzman also discusses the importance of humility and acknowledges that changing one's opinion based on new insights and perspectives is a positive outcome of curiosity-driven exchanges.
Challenges and potential solutions
The podcast delves into the challenges of promoting curiosity and dialogue in an increasingly polarized society. Guzman acknowledges that time is required to heal and process, but also raises the question of whether this allows conflicts to escalate. She discusses the importance of genuine engagement and the potential and difficulty of finding common ground. The conversation highlights the complexity of issues and the need for open-mindedness and ongoing efforts to foster understanding in the face of deep divisions.
How can you have meaningful conversations in increasingly divided times, whether it’s against the backdrop of American politics or the Israel-Gaza war? To author Mónica Guzmán, it’s by asking yourself, “What am I missing?” John Donvan sits down with Guzmán to talk about her work at Braver Angels, staying hopeful in times of conflict or during world events, and why using curiosity to navigate today’s polarized landscape is easier than you think.
Mónica Guzmán is the author of "How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times" and Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels.