I didn't like Trump. I didn't vote for him. I didn't vote for Biden. I didn't like him either. Going with a Mitch Hedberg joke, I used to not like Trump. I still don't like Trump, but I also used to not like him.
Here's the thing. I don't like Trump the person. I think he's a very, very, narcissistic person. He seems to only think about himself and what will get him more attention. I know that's not who he is behind the scenes, according to anecdotal accounts, but what he presents to the world is what everyone else sees.
I liked a lot of the things he was doing in office though. It's possible to not like the guy yet also believe he was right about some things he did. Hitler was an asshole, but he fed his dog. So you could say it was right for him to feed his dog without being wrong about him being an asshole.
All Trump had to do was not play to his narcissism. He could have been a little more conservative with his language. He could have tweeted less like a child and more like an adult.
I think a good president would have been a combination of Trump's passion and Obama's charisma. Trump would have gone a long way in getting re-elected had he just not been constantly pandering to his 'team.' There are ways to deliver bad or difficult news without being bombastic. There are ways to deal with your opponents with civility without compromising your message.
All that to say, I didn't like Trump, but at this point, even I would prefer him over our current President. Doesn't mean I would vote for the guy, unfortunately my conscience just won't allow that. But I wouldn't be terribly upset if he were President again.
Good faith isn't just an attitude; it's a series of actions. It’s the commitment to a shared process, even when the topic is difficult. Here are the core traits to look for and to cultivate in yourself.
1. Intellectual Humility
This is the foundation of all productive conversations. It’s the understanding that your own perspective is incomplete and that you might be wrong. A person with intellectual humility isn't afraid to be proven wrong; they welcome it as an opportunity to learn.
What it sounds like:
"Based on my understanding... but I could be missing something."
"That's a good point. I hadn't considered it from that angle."
"Help me understand what led you to that conclusion."
Why it matters: It turns a confrontation into a collaboration. Instead of two certainties clashing, it becomes a mutual exploration of a topic.
2. The Principle of Charity
This is the commitment to interpreting the other person's argument in its strongest, most persuasive form. Instead of looking for flaws and attacking the ...
The worn leather of the armchair creaked a familiar protest as Michael settled in. Across from him, on the edge of the old sofa, sat David, a man whose face was as familiar as his own reflection, etched with thirty years of shared laughter, quiet commiserations, and unspoken understandings. But tonight, there was a tension in the air, a subtle crack in the foundation of their long-standing ease.
"Thanks for coming over, Dave," Michael began, his voice softer than usual. "There's… something we need to talk about. It feels like there's been a growing misunderstanding, and it's been weighing on me."
David nodded slowly, his gaze steady. "I'm listening, Mike."
Michael took a breath. "I've heard things, felt a distance. And it seems like you, and maybe others, have a picture of me that isn't true. Like I'm… someone I'm not. And I need to set the record straight."
He leaned forward, choosing his words carefully. "I want trans people to have the same freedom and rights as any non-trans person. I want ...
10 rules for a productive discussion about controversial topics.
1. The Prime Directive: Argue in Good Faith This is the foundational rule. Both parties must enter the conversation with the genuine intention of exploring the truth, not simply to "win," embarrass, or provoke. Assume the other person is also operating under this principle until proven otherwise.
2. Intellectual Humility: Be Willing to Be Wrong Enter the discussion with the understanding that your current position could be flawed or incomplete. The goal is to refine your own views through challenge, not just defend them at all costs. Acknowledge valid points made by the other person.
3. The Principle of Charity: "Steel Man" Their Argument, Don't "Straw Man" It Instead of misrepresenting your opponent's position to make it easier to attack (a "straw man" ), do the opposite. Articulate the strongest, most persuasive version of their argument you can, and then respond to that. If you're unsure, ask, "So, if I understand you correctly, you're saying ...
