Page 258 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

“What happens is, you get two extremes, and the middle doesn’t come back.”

3.2 Listening, Compromise and Change

Participants also talked about the need for opportunities for listening, and compromise, as well

as need for diversity, avoiding labels, and a change in systems. Participants both said directly that

increased opportunities for “this type of forum” and for “bipartisanship’ as well as indirectly

addressing listening and compromise in conversations.

“Small efficiencies, well-thought ideas -- real change comes from compromise. I feel that people

need to sit down with other people with tough decisions and find some resolutions” This comment

seemed to reflect the sentiment present resonating a theme.

Parting Words

In final words, participants overwhelmingly relayed feeling good, invigorated and

energized. They mentioned feeling heartened and “nice to see I’m not alone” about their feelings

towards political divides. Participants also noted some takeaways, like fostering curiosity and

avoiding tribalism.

“It’s nice to see I’m not alone. We might not all agree, but we all want better.”

“I feel this was a good start to what is needed for understanding and compromise while

working together.”

“Be careful of your assumptions about people and where they come from.

Annexes for Question Round One

“This dialogue is an opportunity for us to set the stage for the rest of this series, specifically

brainstorming how people can disagree politically without being disagreeable. With that in mind,

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