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10 tweets,
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I've been thinking lately about what makes Twitter so toxic. Aside from its obvious problems, I think we all need to rethink "dunking-on" culture. And I've come to believe that winning arguments is often over-rated in creating lasting change+political reforms. (1/n=10)
Building relationship, sharing perspectives, and genuinely listening are usually much more important than besting someone in an argument. I felt this first-hand doing GOTV in 2008, 12+16. I teach health policy. So I probably know more policy than the ambivalent voter (2/n)
who greets me at her doorstep. What would I accomplish by out-debating her about ACA or whatever? Generally nothing. Less than nothing. She'd be embarrassed+probably hardened in her perspective, only sorry that her smart cousin wasn't around, who would have really kicked (3/n)
my butt in that conversation. Worse, I've blown the opportunity for real conversation+human connection, to talk about why my family cares so much about these issues, and to ask what's similarly important to her, as she considers what's at stake--and then to truly listen. (4/n)
In 2008+2012, it was easier to remember that winning some argument is not what it's about at an ambivalent voter's doorstep. It was easier to remember because I understood+respected why folk supported McCain+Romney--a war hero+a genuinely successful entrepreneur. (5/n)
I was much less effective in 2016. Too often, that "wtf" tape would start playing in my head as I listened to undecided voters. It was harder to genuinely listen and respect what I heard, and to make that essential human connection in the 5min we would have together (6/n).
I enjoyed the interactions much less. I'm sure I changed many fewer minds. I left more people's doorsteps angry, more tempted to dunk on them with some zinger. I feel that way on Twitter, a lot. (7/n)
In efforts to engage severely vulnerable people, my favorite admonition is attributed to St. Francis: "Always preach the Gospel. Only when necessary, use words." So asking "What do you need?"+providing clean socks can be best way to recruit a homeless man to drug treatment (8/n)
These same insights apply to other realms. Whose minds do we really change when we dunk on someone making a bad point. What did I myself accomplish knocking that young woman who acted with foolish incivility towards Chelsea Clinton? (9/n)
Maybe empathy+forgiveness would be a more effective and persuasive way to embrace people+bring them along. The call-out/dunk-on Twitter culture pushes us the other way. At least pushes me. Trying to promote tolerance+social justice, I don't always remember my own advice (10/10)
