Quote:
Originally posted by Grady Clay
Dan,
Very good. I wish I had more “humor” skills. My lame (engineering and science) skills lead me to just logic.
Every Sunday dinner with my grandfather (editor of the Princetonian and friend of Woodrow Wilson), we had argument around the table as early as I can remember. I was brought up understanding the value of argument and encouraged to participate from a very young age. The term “argument” has perhaps missed the meaning today.
With Pelican OT I’m comfortable arguing a point. Any one of us should be able to argue either side of the Iraq controversy. I can.
It is the argument process that can possibly lead to a solution to the issue. Even some of our elected “representatives” don’t seem to understand this IMHO. (opinion)
Best,
Grady
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Grady, I agree except that I would use the term "discussion" - but I suppose that is semantics when the discussion gets empassioned.
I think the current (?) term for this approach is "brainstorming". Discuss things from all points of view. Throw out unusual, at times even outrageous solutions for thorny problems, kick 'em around and see what sticks to the wall. Doesn't sound nearly as academic as what the editor of the Princetonian and Woodrow Wilson would do, but I suppose it can result in the same outcome.
As for the humor part? Besides it being entertaining (assuming you're not offended by the joke!) it has the added value of (perhaps) lightening up the moment and reminding us its all just opinion and to not take ourselves so seriously. As I have posted before , its HIGHLY unlikely that someone with an opposing point of view to mine is going to sit up suddenly and say, "My Dan, I never thought of it in QUITE that way. I am changing my opinion on (fill in the blank - abortion, capital punishment, term limits, etc) forever!" Yeah, that'll happen!