Deep Dive
What is the foundation for a good debate according to Bo Seo?
The foundation for a good debate is 'good disagreement,' where both sides walk away feeling like they would engage in the conversation again. It’s not about immediate life-changing outcomes but creating a basis for continued dialogue. Bo Seo suggests using the RISA checklist: ensuring the disagreement is real, important, specific, and aligned in motivations.
Why does Bo Seo believe social media amplifies bad disagreement?
Social media encourages a 'broadcasting approach' to communication, where people speak from a fixed identity to a larger audience, even in personal conversations. This creates a performative dynamic, making it harder to have private, empathetic discussions and often turning disagreements into public spectacles.
What is the simplest tip Bo Seo offers for handling difficult conversations?
Start every disagreement with some amount of agreement. This includes agreeing on how the conversation will proceed and clarifying what the disagreement is actually about, which often prevents misunderstandings and escalations.
What inspired Jason Lee to create Jubilee Media?
Jason Lee was inspired to create Jubilee Media after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, feeling the world was more divided than ever. He wanted to create content that brought people together, fostering conversations with nuance, empathy, and understanding, rather than simply promoting niceness.
What is the format of Jubilee’s 'Middle Ground' show?
The 'Middle Ground' show brings together opposing groups, such as rival gangs or political parties, and uses prompts to find areas of agreement. The goal is to demonstrate that people often agree more than they disagree, even on contentious issues, and to encourage nuanced, empathetic conversations.
What has Jubilee Media revealed about people’s willingness to change their minds?
Jubilee Media has shown that people are often more willing to engage in kindness and understanding than stereotypes suggest. Even in highly contentious conversations, participants frequently find common ground and leave with a sense of connection, challenging assumptions about division.
How does Jubilee Media’s approach differ from traditional media?
Jubilee Media focuses on creating human connections and fostering empathy through nuanced conversations, rather than amplifying conflict. It challenges the traditional media’s tendency to highlight division by showing that people can agree on many issues, even if they approach them differently.
- Importance of good disagreement over mere agreement.
- RISA checklist (Real, Important, Specific, Aligned) for evaluating conditions for productive conversations.
- Starting disagreements with points of agreement is key.
Shownotes Transcript