People and conflict go together like peas and carrots (thanks, Forrest); it’s inevitable, but this current culture of incredibly high conflict is newer territory. If we ever hope to learn and grow beyond it, we need to understand the sources and create new ways to fix it. Humiliation, personal rejection and disrespect are all ways… read more →
The world is finally talking about unconscious bias. About time. It’s an idea that’s hard for a lot of folks to get their heads around, but why is it and what is it that predisposes seemingly intelligent people to fear or hate others that simply don’t … look … like … them. How do we… read more →
Albert Einstein said, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Pretty smart idea – I’m surprised that guy didn’t make more of himself. Changing opinions and positions is so hard for most people because opinions become part of our identity – they’re who we are. So getting people to stop believing lies has… read more →
Public Participation is Necessary for Democracy When determining how to ensure effective public participation, it should be noted that public participation is no less than the bedrock of a functioning democracy. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the U.S. Constitution, said, “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people… read more →
Most rational people hate conflict; it’s uncomfortable, we can’t really control it, so we do everything we can to avoid it. Problem is, the U.S. is a nation in greater conflict now than ever before – at least in modern history. 81 million people on one side, 74 million on the other – with yet… read more →
We’ve talked frequently here about listening skill building and we can’t let it become a tired topic. We live in an age where his opinions are as valid as her facts, everyone talks loud and long and few people actually listen. Resolving human conflict at any level requires finding common ground. Finding common ground requires… read more →
Queen Elizabeth is a practicing cannibal, Justin Bieber is a member of a race of reptiles, and Chemtrails make liberals the demons that they are. If you’re not aware that 5G technology causes Covid-19, the earth is flat and Bill Gates is implanting microchips in the forthcoming vaccine you might not be a conspiracy theorist.… read more →
Excessive police violence, particularly against Black people, is now part of the national conversation and it’s needed to be. A buddy of mine – a 25-year veteran Wisconsin cop (retired) – sent me a copy of the Training and Standards document that spells out the Use-of-Force Continuum taught to law enforcement officers. This policy guides… read more →
We have a lot of thorny issues to work to resolve in the coming months and years, not the least of which is the movement that suggests police departments should be defunded. Which leads to the question of whether or not people actually want to seriously diminish or truly eliminate the function of public safety.… read more →
I’ve been binge watching The Tudors on Netflix and, in homage to Anne Boleyn, I realize that these are stressful times for most of us. Whenever I start feeling a little whiny, I think about my doc and nursing friends and relatives working in public health, elder care, and in ER and ICU units, which… read more →