WHAT’S WRONG WITH MORE OF THE SAME?

Are you comfortable conversing with individuals whose ideas you find disagreeable or distasteful? 

In this age of tweeting, texting, emailing, and linking in, rather than choosing to communicate with those whose ideas they believe differ from theirs, people are prone to connect with those they think hold views similar to theirs. Thus, the individuals with whom we connect regularly tend to confirm rather than challenge our thinking. 

In order to prevent undisrupted idea reinforcement from blinding you, try following someone you wouldn’t ordinarily follow on Twitter, read a post on a site with views antithetical to your own, and connect with others with whom you not agree, both online and off!

We believe that seeking to interact with people whose ideas challenge us should make us better thinkers and communicators. What do you think?

           

(See Ravi Mattu, “We Need More Awkward Social Moments Online,” Financial Times, July 29, 2013, p. 10)