These topics are discussed-ing

Conversations should start with a “They Say.” This could be someone else’s “I say,” but it should ultimately be like dropping a boat into a flowing river. Of course, the point at which we’re dropped into the river depends on what the end result is. Better yet could be letting someone decide the entrance point. Let us decide at which point in the conversation we want to enter. For instance, do we start with the assumption that there is a god or debate the options of a deity’s existence before we start talking about abortion? It depends on the goal the moderator has in mind. Of course, ideally, I would say let us decide where the conversation starts. This aids the concept of equality in conversation – the greatest value in the ideal conversation. For the conversation to be effective, it is imperative that everyone contributes. We need a forest of ideas and opinions. People don’t even have to agree with the opinion they throw into the mix. In fact, they shouldn’t always agree with it. Dissent’s healthy in these conversations. And how can anyone disagree with the need for Satan’s advocacy? While everyone needs to talk, everyone should be pay equal time pay attention to what’s going on in the conversation. A balance between listening and talking is the constant challenge in contributing to a conversation. Regarding conventions, a person should be able to explain their idea completely before its subject to comment. Only after that person is sure they’ve represented themselves correctly should the cycle continue to the next person. Also, the comments should make a chain, with each new comment relating to the previous one, but also spanning into new territory. Maybe not comments, but the individual itself. I don’t know. The extended metaphors aren’t working out for me today. However, that, in essence, is the ideal conversation.These past two days of conversation have been on a steady path to this ideal conversation. They haven’t reached it, but we collectively realized the flaws in the conversations. For instance, Thursday’s discussion lacked tension and argument. On Tuesday, we realized made more general comments, trying to stay away the personal comments that hinder dissent. In the future, we’ll probably start to relate more stuff back to the actual texts, the chains from which our conversation starts. We move to the ideal in baby steps. Luckily, our baby has matured past crawling. Now we all need to change the diaper.