A recent comment thread on a Facebook page I follow that went something like this:
A: I why does Fauci still wear two masks after being vaccinated?
B: Because he's being safe! Just because you're vaccinated that doesn't mean you can't get it. It's just the chances of getting drop down even further, not zero.
The fact is, it will never be zero. There will always be a chance that you'll contract some novel virus that nobody has ever seen before. It could be the deadliest virus in the history of the world. You could get that after the next door you open or the next shopping cart you use or after the next rental car or hotel room you stay in. You could possibly get it just walking around breathing in all the fresh air. There will always be a non-zero chance that you will catch a deadly virus, even after this covid pandemic is over.
But what does life look like for nation that is in constant worry? In constant fear of a deadly virus that we don't know about? Forever mask wearing. Forever socially distant. Forever locked down.
That's not how I choose to live. That doesn't mean I go around licking door knobs and kissing strangers and rubbing my eyes after opening doors, but it also doesn't mean I live in fear of being close to people or doing normal every day things with friends and family. I happily wear the mask where required, but I take it off immediately after. To me, it's all theater. I don't shame people for wearing masks while driving, or give people a hard time for wearing a mask, at least not publicly. To each his own. You do you and I'll do me.
If you don't feel safe going out, then don't go out! It's kind of like sky diving. Nobody is forcing you onto the plane, forcing a parachute on your back, and forcing you out of the plane at 12 thousand feet. It's your choice to be in public. If you don't feel safe being in public, don't go. There isn't anything you can't get delivered to your house these days. And think of all the gas you'll save!
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 ...
