Re: learning from lectures Re: Stone article

Ana M. Shane (pshane who-is-at andromeda.rutgers.edu)
Sat, 11 May 1996 01:41:56 -0400

Ken,

I agree with you that some issues are very hard to debate from the side
totally opposite to your own feelings and beliefs. This is precisely the
reason this is not a trivial game, and above all it is not a game to "win"
or lose, but to understand and learn. There are no winners here - just learners.
By the way, this game was (and maybe still is) sometimes used in marriage
counceling in Slovenia. Being able to take the perspective of the opponent
and actually find arguments for the opposite side is not easy at all: it
involves not just the cognitive, rational shifts, but deep emotional moves,
too. Your example of a Jew dealing with antisemitism is a wonderful example
of the degree of seriousness this "game" can demand. When an issue is not
just an academic one, but the one that deeply affects people in reality, and
especially when it touches the core of your existence, it is very important
to understand to the last detail what is that what makes one believe in
something you completely reject, abhore... Understanding of the opponent
enables creative action, much better than just holding to one's own beliefs.
Besides, understanding of the opposite view enables a much better
understanding of one's own views and beliefs, too.

As for American journalism - you said it yourself - it is faaar from any
serious reporting...(not counting, of course some honorable exceptions...).


At 08:52 AM 5/10/96 -0700, you wrote:
>I like Ana's game but personally find two problems with it !. It is not much
>fun to play if you're deeply involved in the issue yourself- for example a
>Jew dealing with antisemitism. 2. The level of debate of significant
>issues in the American press is treating everything as a kind of sports
>event. Who's winning, who socred a goal, whose butt got kicked is more news
>worthy than the issues themselves. (note the kick butt slogan of the anti-
>smoking campaign)In fact the game metaphor shifts the role of the reporter
>from investigative journalism to cheer leader.
>Ken Goodman
>
>

Ana

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Dr. Ana Marjanovic-Shane

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