How to use my PTU Principle to fight propaganda and misinformation.

   Let's face it. We completely missed the mark in the election. We have allowed media outlets to dominate our thoughts. It's not as simple as turning the television off anymore, especially with the internet accessible from computers and phones. What has happened over the past several months is that I have quieted the voices of many people by unfollowing their Facebook newsfeed. I have also taken measures and used the list of fake news or clickbait websites and blocked them. But I know that not every American is doing just that and the spread of misinformation continues.
   What I did notice in a conversation I had the other day with my more conservative friend at work is that I didn't listen to her all too well. We disagree on two main issues; abortion and whether or not Christianity should be a national religion that is involved in the affairs of state. She now thoroughly knows the science behind why I support my position in the former concern but I had to force myself to stop with the second concern because I am not sure she understands the implications of the latter without more formal coursework in political science.
    What she does know is that her two year degree in the medical administration field is not getting her anywhere and she has been stuck in retail hell for nine years with minimal raises and no chance of moving up in the company. So I decided to concentrate on her interest in political science and her desire to explore becoming a player in that realm. I support and give advice to people on a consistent basis on how to get out of their job, gain confidence, and go after their passion. I recommended that she talks to the local community college where she received her Associate's Degree about picking up a class or two in political science to fill in that gap in her education, where the cost is cheaper, and then transfer to Liberty University to take online classes where I think she will be more successful. I also recommended working with local government officials in order to build her network and get some real hands-on experiences so she can figure out if that is the course she wants to take her future.
   The story above may make me sound like an education elitist, and maybe I am, because I support everyone receiving a college education if they choose to chase that dream. However, I also know that our country has a serious gap in the trades and I have an understanding that we need people in every walk of life from blue to white collar workers.
   So what does my PTU principle have to do with this? My PTU principle is simply patience, tolerance, and understanding. Patience to close your mouth and open your ears with no plan in place to respond to the speaker. Tolerance to place yourself in their shoes based on their nature and their nurture. And understanding in the ability to see the point that person is making. Think like Socrates in Plato's The Republic and ask a lot of questions. But what else did Socrates do? He educated by poking holes in the other person's arguments. He never did it in such a way to insult the other person but to bring them around to another way of thinking. That's smart. That is what radical empathy should look like. Soon, you will find that the person that you are engaging in discussion with can come to a resolution even if it is not a total solution.
   For example, on a friend's Facebook post a few weeks ago, someone had said something that seemed really off color. I simply asked for clarification with the understanding that I am sure that this person is not like that in a face-to-face conversation. And he wasn't stupid or short-minded. He wrote more eloquently with the realization that maybe his previous comment did not show his best side. He didn't need a college education for that. It was already there. All you have to do is ask and not attack. True leadership is about bringing out the best in people even when you don't agree with them.
   When I first started typing this post I thought I was going to discuss all the hot button topics and whether or not liberals should discuss them at all; such as climate change or gun control. These topics are important to those who are left leaning in political philosophy. However, the priorities between conservatives and liberals do not match up at all. We have to be smarter than that while we are learning about each other.  Priorities for liberals are really big ideas that are hard to chunk out. Topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, renewable resources, etc., have over-arching themes and worldly applications.

    The world of a conservative is very close to them and has to deal with immediate needs such as safety, assurance, protection, and survivability. They consider themselves salt-of-the-earth people and very traditional. They are primarily concerned with their financial well-being so any data that you have that connects air pollution to the asthma that they are currently suffering from, use it. If worldwide drought is going to affect their favorite coffee talk about that as well. We need more interconnections between liberal concerns and conservative concerns. That is the only way we will win each other over and find compromise on the political battlefield.
   With this idea in mind, after asking questions and working towards clarification, you may want to repeat or summarize what that person said to you. People like hearing their own words. For example, you may want to begin with the phrase, "This is what I heard..." and end with "did I get that right?" It will help you appear more sympathetic. Also, do not interrupt the speaker. I know you may want to say something, such as a statistic or an article excerpt in the moment, but write it on a piece of paper so that way you can form a comprehensive rebuttal after the repeat/summarize stage of the conversation process.
   If they interrupt you during your time to speak, ask them to hold onto their thought or hand them a piece of paper and pen so that they can remember the information that they need to relay to you once you are done.

   There will be points in the conversation where both speakers over generalize or stereotype and it is everyone's job to call the speaker out. Part of the problem with online conversations is that they are not specific enough. Yes, it makes for a longer post to read, but if you don't want to learn anything why are you butting in on the conversation? Do call out trolls. They are nasty, they don't understand social boundaries, and are narcissists. Don't allow that at any time. If the conversation takes an ugly turn, walk away. You do not need to get the last word in with a narcissist.
   However, the most important point to remember is not to take the opposing speaker's view personally. It is ok for someone to disagree with you and you may not find a resolution in that conversation. Change takes time. Paradigm shifts take generations before change occurs. Keep that in mind.
   Here is my guide to using my PTU Principle the next time you are in a conversation with a person that fundamentally opposes your belief system.

• Ask questions.
• Ask for clarification.
• Do not interrupt.
• Repeat or summarize.
• Polite rebuttal.
• Call out trollish behavior. 

   Wash, rinse, repeat! I have been hearing a lot about a progressive movement called radical empathy. I sincerely believe that everyone can move forward together if we have a clear understanding of what radical empathy should look like without losing our core values. This is only the way I feel radical empathy should be resembled.