How to Disagree with Respect — Not Hate | Spencer J. Cox | TED

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker reflects on the fragility of freedom and the importance of civility in politics. Recounting personal experiences, including a joint campaign ad with his political opponent to promote respectful disagreement, the speaker emphasizes the need for depolarization. He suggests practical steps for individuals to bridge divides, such as engaging with diverse perspectives, serving others, and cultivating political virtues like humility. The message is one of hope and action, urging each generation to actively secure and maintain freedom.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ 'Freedom is a fragile thing, and it's never more than one generation away from extinction.' - This quote by Ronald Reagan, initially dismissed by the speaker, now resonates deeply as a reality.
• 😳 The speaker's faith in the stability of democratic processes was shaken by witnessing angry protesters during a routine electoral certification in 2016, demanding illegal changes to election results.
• 🤝 In an effort to combat political divisiveness, the speaker and his opponent, Chris Peterson, created a bipartisan campaign ad that unexpectedly went viral, demonstrating a public appetite for unity.
• 🌟 The ad's success was validated by its participation in a depolarization experiment, where it showed a measurable effect in reducing political polarization and urges towards violence.
• 📊 70% of Americans, according to polling from More in Common, express their dislike for the divisiveness in politics, indicating a widespread desire for a more civil discourse.
• 🤔 The perception gap between political parties is largely driven by media and political conflict entrepreneurs, who exaggerate the extremism of the opposition.
• 📺 The speaker suggests reducing exposure to conflict-driven media as a way to improve mental health and reduce anxiety caused by constant exposure to negative news.
• 💬 Engaging with people of differing political views, especially in person, can help bridge divides and foster understanding, as it's harder to hate someone when you know them personally.
• 🙏 Service and volunteering not only benefit communities but also improve individual well-being and promote a more positive outlook on others.
• 🧘‍♂️ Developing political virtues such as humility, patience, and moderation is essential for disagreeing without hate, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy democracy.

Q & A

In what year did Ronald Reagan become the governor of California?

Ronald Reagan became the governor of California in 1967.

What iconic phrase did Ronald Reagan use in his inaugural address that was repeated by politicians for decades?

Ronald Reagan used the iconic phrase 'Freedom is a fragile thing, and it's never more than one generation away from extinction.'

What event caused the speaker to lose confidence in the peaceful transfer of power in the United States?

The speaker's confidence was shaken when he witnessed angry protesters demanding the violation of state law to change the votes of the electors during a routine meeting to certify the votes for the presidential election in 2016.

Who were the protesters supporting in the 2016 incident described by the speaker?

The protesters in the 2016 incident were supporting Hillary Clinton.

What unusual campaign strategy did the speaker and his opponent, Chris Peterson, employ during their gubernatorial race?

The speaker and his opponent, Chris Peterson, filmed a campaign ad together, promoting a message of unity and respectful disagreement, despite being political rivals.

How did the public respond to the joint campaign ad by the speaker and Chris Peterson?

The public response to the joint campaign ad was instantaneous and overwhelming, with the ad going viral, garnering millions of views and shares.

What was the outcome of the ad's submission to the Stanford Polarization and Social Change Lab?

The ad was part of a depolarization experiment and had a measurable depolarization effect, including a reduction in urges towards violence.

According to the speaker, what percentage of Americans hate the divisiveness in politics?

According to polling from More in Common, 70 percent of Americans hate the divisiveness in politics.

What is the main issue the speaker identifies with the perception of political differences in the United States?

The main issue is that both sides overestimate the extremism on the other side by about 30 percent, leading to a perception gap that is strongest among progressive activists and extreme conservatives.

What practical steps does the speaker suggest to help heal the divides in the United States?

The speaker suggests turning off conflict-driven media, spending time with people different from us, serving others through volunteering, and developing political virtues like humility, patience, and moderation.

How does the speaker conclude the importance of securing freedom in the current generation?

The speaker concludes that securing freedom is a solemn duty that requires work from each individual, emphasizing the need to disagree without hate and to love even our political opponents.