submitted by Valerie Renk; photo by Margaret Murphy
Pastor Michael Schuler pictured here with Club President Jason Beren
Rotary’s Sept 26 guest speaker, Michael Schuler, asked, “Is there is an antidote to toxic talk?”
Schuler recently retired as senior minister of the First Unitarian Society of Madison.
Researchers gather data, test hypothesis, operate on provisional truths, demanding scientists have open minds. However, even scientist succumb to civil discourse. Debate over what killed dinosaurs is one example.
The book, “Politics of Resentment” by Kathy Cramer documents this resentment. People in common conversation treat each other like enemies, even in rural America known for niceness. Cramer contends political leaders are often to blame for our divided experience. For example, trash talk, and rowdy events held by Trump’s campaign where dissenters were ejected. “This is fun,” Trump said. We are receptive to this bravado.
Rural citizens interviewed by Kramer felt their communities were losing to urban communities, despite data showing otherwise. Perception matters, and politicians exploit this. Polls focus on winning and losing, so voters overinvest in winning. We need to focus less on winning and focus more on what government is doing for everyone.
Schuler outlined strategies to increase the quality of our conversations:
- Step out of our comfort zone. Invite interaction with people who don’t share your moral narrative.
- Think like a good scientist. Hold your ideas as a tentative theory rather than a final fact. Apparently, it could well be, it seems, are all good phrases to use.
- Be more curious. Ask more questions rather than share your convictions.
- Be patient. Sit with discomfort until you have more clarity.
- Become more self-aware. Is your tone inviting or challenging?
Michael Schuler served 30 years as senior minister of First Unitarian Society of Madison, one of the largest UU churches in North America.
If you missed our meeting this week, you can watch the video here.
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 