Planet: Critical Why We Can't Understand Each Other | Damien Williams
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Jun 19, 2025 Damien Williams, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Data Science at UNC, shares insights on the complexities of language and communication. He discusses how our personalized realities create barriers to mutual understanding, even on shared facts like science. The conversation dives into the impact of technology and misinformation on discourse, exploring how rhetoric shapes perceptions in politics. Damien emphasizes the need for tough, honest dialogues to bridge divides and build solidarity in our increasingly polarized society.
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Communication Requires Mutual Understanding
- Communication is a two-way process requiring mutual understanding between speaker and listener.
- Without proper interpretation, communication becomes mere noise, not effective exchange of ideas.
Language Shapes Realities
- Language shapes our understanding of reality and possibilities.
- Weaponized language manipulates perception, creating distorted realities and undermining consensus.
Different Realities Divide Us
- Different realities arise from varying meanings of the same words within social groups.
- This disconnect causes people to talk past each other, deepening isolation and misunderstanding.
