Posted on 02/17/2016 12:25:24 PM PST by blueunicorn6
I propose that we follow The Covey Rule here at Free Republic.
Stephen Covey had a great idea for settling arguments.
Two people are really on opposite sides of an issue. We'll call them Person A and Person B. Covey wrote that one side could not begin advocating their position until they had explained the other person's position TO THAT PERSON'S SATISFACTION.
So, Person A could not start making his points until he had explained Person B's position TO THE SATISFACTION OF PERSON B. Likewise, Person B could not start making her points until she had explained Person A's position TO THE SATISFACTION OF PERSON A.
This ensures that both sides are at least starting from the same basic points.
So, when we get the fights going on, oh, say, Trump and Cruz or religion or the Civil War, one person could invoke The Covey Rule and ask that the other person explain their view.
Yep, it's a real pain in the donkey to do this, but the name-calling going on here at Free Republic is getting to be a real pain in the donkey anyway.
I believe that Covey used this in a class on the issue of abortion and saw amazing results.
Give it a try.
Otherwise, keep calling people names and see what that gets you.
Not a bad rule if you are trying to have a real discussion or discourse on logical matters. But what does this have to do with FR. Once people start saying “tldr” you are doomed not matter what rules you use.
Nah, I am just gonna keep a list of all the Trumpeters here on FreeRepublic and if trump becomes president and IF he becomes a colossal disappointment I will remind each and everyone one of them how foolish there were to stand behind their favorite raw meat tossing strong man who betrayed them the first chance he got.
Are you sure that's allowed?
What I found out was that not only did people differ on their conclusions, they also differed on what they considered to be good sources of information, and valid forms of reasoning.
So even here on FR which is supposed to be populated primarily by a rather narrowly ranged group of conservatives, we all don't agree on sources, means of argument, or conclusions.
So I don't see how Covey's approach would work. I do know that Covey stuck with his Franklin organizer way longer than he should have after the advent of PDA's, smartphones, etc. So his Franklin shops pretty much tanked.
That didn't evidence much good thinking.
This is an internet forum. So that means not a chance. I have tried this basic concept with people in my family and it usually is a giant bust. Especially females.
Nah, I prefer to think that anyone who doesn’t vote for Cruz...you know.
It’s a good rule, and pretty funny when your opponent in argument won’t take a position! Smokes out the dishonest ones right quickly.
Have been forced to go through 7habbits training myself, for the most part it’s a glad handing conman routine. He even says the parts of this that will help our common sense and as we all know one cannot teach common sense
I think it would be easier to give a pill to a cat:
How to give a cat a pill:
1. - Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. - Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3. - Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. - Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5. - Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
6. - Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.
7. - Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
8. - Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil, and blow down drinking straw.
9. - Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. - Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
11. - Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of Scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. - Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.
13. - Tie the little @!!@#@#$%’s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of steak filet. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. - Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and remove pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
15. - Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
later
Ohmigod best laugh I have had for DAYS!
Is something missing in your explanation, perhaps a third party acting as a referee?
How do A & B determine who goes first?
How does A know what B’s position is at the start?
Seems that good will is presumed on both sides entering a debate. B always has the advantage being given the opportunity to keep saying “No, that’s not what I mean” much like the impish child that follows every answer with a perpetual “why?” Pretty much the pattern of trolls every where, whose objective is to frustrate others into abandoning thread and in effect killing it. Good Alinskite tactic used by many on this board.
I think I would have said that somewhat differently...
There are people who feel that they must win an argument. Usually it’s because they feel that they have a financial interest in winning the argument.
The beauty of Free Republic is that there is no cover here. Your thoughts and beliefs go out in the form of printed words for all to see without any cover. Your words can’t hide behind your beautiful smile. You cannot ask your “Mommy” to protect you. You can’t threaten to use your vast power to shut someone up.
Your thoughts and feelings are out there naked and alone. They either stand on their own or they get cut up and thrown out.
The name calling is a crutch. It’s a failure to adequately express a position or a means to defend a weak position.
I read of people quitting Free Republic because of the name calling. I hate to see anyone leave Free Republic, even for a day.
The Covey Rule is a means to keep the level of discussion as discussion and not name calling.
James Robinson has provided us with something that humanity has rarely had. He has given us a forum to discuss the great issues without fear of being punished for writing freely. This is extremely frightening to the academics and lawyers and government employees because they put bread on their tables by charging for argument and discussion.
I’m just trying to provide a possible solution and perhaps keep more people on this forum.
Hahaha
It doesn’t matter who goes first.
There is no referee.
Yes, a person can attempt to be childish and say, “That’s not my position!” Over and over.
Then, let them explain their position more clearly.
That person is being forced to think and explain rather than just resort to calling for “Mommy” or calling names.
Covey the snake oil salesman. But there I go name-calling. I was in the defense industry where we were forced to take his “training classes.”
I have friends in the construction biz and he let thousands of dollars of materials rot in his yard because he couldn’t decide what he wanted to do.
But I’m with you on the state of the forum right now. I just skip over the long your-guy-is-a fill in the blank posts. It’s like this every election, but this one is the worst.
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