One thing I've seen during this whole pandemic are stories of hospitals being filled almost to capacity and there's been a shortage of doctors and nurses to take care of patients.
It reminds me of the Titanic, or Texas energy during zero degree weather. It all comes down to poor planning, and probably greed.
If the hospital has 500 beds and you don't have the staff necessary to support a patient in every single one of those beds, then why did you build a hospital with 500 beds? If you know your energy infrastructure is going to buckle at a certain temperature, and there is a non-zero chance that you could at some point reach that temperature, how do you justify not being prepared for it?
This isn't a an issue with a business getting more orders than they're able to handle. I mean, oh no, too many people want my non-life critical product! These are services that kind of need to prepare for the worst.
But a lot of these hospitals hadn't yet reached the worst case as they still had room for patients, they just didn't have the staff necessary. The energy companies were just gambling that it wouldn't be 'that bad' and the system could withstand it, or that Texans can go a few days without power. All to save money, or rather, make money for the important people.
Take the government out of all this. Let these companies live or die on the quality of their business. If their service sucks, let us choose to not use them. Don't use taxpayer money to bail out failing business, especially businesses that screw their customers.
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 ...
