AI Meets Civil Discourse

James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | February 3, 2025 | Mark McNeilly

[karpov]

As universities across the U.S. seek to deal with protests, polarization, and the presidential election, many have focused on how to foster civil-discourse skills in students. As this tweet (below) from Professor Robert “Robby” George illustrates, civil-discourse programs are popping up across the nation. Of course, UNC has its own version with its School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL).

What Is Civil Discourse?

Since this is an essay about AI, I’ll use an AI-generated answer from Google Search for the definition (Google Search AI collects data from websites on a topic, in this case “civil discourse,” and summarizes the findings):

“Civil discourse” refers to the practice of having respectful and constructive conversations about public issues, where individuals actively listen to opposing viewpoints, express their own ideas clearly, and strive to promote understanding and knowledge expansion, even when there are disagreements, prioritizing civility over personal attacks.

In other words, civil discourse is not about winning an argument but about having a constructive dialogue to learn another person’s views, offer your own, and come to mutual understanding if not agreement.

The Challenges of Fostering Civil-Discourse Skills in Students

There are several pedagogical and logistical obstacles to teaching civil-discourse skills to college undergraduates.

[BenLurkin]

“What Is Civil Discourse?”

I can tell you what it ain’t. It ain’t free speech.

[grobdriver]

I can tell you what it ain’t. It ain’t free speech.

I don't know - you can have free speech and do it civilly. We used to do that all the time.

Having been on "X" for a couple of months, I can say that there is no concept of civil discourse in that population, only deranged curse-laden rants.

Things get heated here once in a while, but in the main I think we're pretty civil to one another, even while disagreeing.

[Bookshelf]

CNN

Dozens of employees at the Education Department were placed on paid administrative leave Friday as part of the Trump administration’s larger effort to rid the federal workforce of employees associated with diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts, two sources familiar with the move told CNN.
The department sent letters to employees informing them that their email accounts were being suspended but that they would continue to receive paychecks for an indefinite period, the sources said.

[CodeToad]

Twitter is still censoring Americans for benign statements while letting lefties cuss, rant, and rave , and threaten people. Bannings at Twitter happen constantly.

[libertylover]

As universities across the U.S. seek to deal with protests, polarization, and the presidential election, many have focused on how to foster civil-discourse skills in students.

Ha! To my observation, universities have not been "dealing with" protests, polarization, and the presidential election, they've been pushing protests, polarization, and hatred of the President.

[nopardons]

BTTT

[Harpotoo]

Protect US and ID them/they/it?-)