Most disagreements aren’t binary

When it comes to the big disagreements we see lately, on topics such as abortion or border control, people generally take “sides”. To pick a side often means that you don’t want to debate the nuances, which is where the truth often lies.

As Adam Grant said in his book Think Again:

An antidote to this proclivity is complexifying: showcasing the range of perspectives on a given topic. We might believe we’re making progress by discussing hot-button issues as two sides of a coin, but people are actually more inclined to think again if we present these topics through the many lenses of a prism.

It’s easier to just pick a side, but taking the time to really digest and debate a topic is what can lead to real change. Topics like border control aren’t just a pro/con argument, but get into deeper topics with laws, infrastructure, legal immigration processes and more. Thoughts on what is right will vary a lot, which is good for all of us, but simply picking a side isn’t the answer.

Originally published at https://www.mickmel.com on October 26, 2021.