Discussion: Effective Communication

Why do conversations about politics and social issues so often go off the rails, even when everyone involved has good intentions? In this Civic Discussion Meetup, we’ll explore insights from Hidden Brain’s “Mind Reading 2.0: Why Conversations Go Wrong,” featuring linguist Deborah Tannen. The episode looks at how differences in conversational style—tone, pacing, assumptions, and expectations—can lead to misunderstanding and unintended conflict.

Rather than debating specific political positions, this discussion will focus on how we communicate in civic spaces and why people frequently feel unheard or misinterpreted. We’ll examine how these dynamics contribute to polarization and explore practical ways to have clearer, more productive conversations across ideological and social differences. The goal is to better understand not just what we say in public discourse, but how we say it—and how small shifts in communication can lead to more meaningful dialogue.

Relevant Content:
Mind Reading 2.0: Why Conversations Go Wrong: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/why-conversations-go-wrong/