An Invitation to Reasoned Debate and Discourse

I'm starting to read "SuperFreakonomics,", Steven Levitt's and Stephen Dubner's follow-up to "Freakonomics." In this one, like the first, they approach a medley of issues from an fascinating perspective: rational analysis. They know that not everyone will agree with them: they, in fact, revel in that. They're looking to start a conversation. Whatever else I find when I read this book, that intention struck a chord with me. I've been struggling so long with the fact that our ability as a society to have conversations where rational, reasonable people of differing viewpoints can debate, share, and communicate has degraded to an almost non-existent level. I have nice conversations with people of like minds but that gets old after awhile: you rarely cover new ground. I avoid attempts at conversation with those of opposing minds since recent experience has burned me; rhetoric and hyperbole are a matter of course with thought and consideration trailing far behind.

I'd like to change that. This blog is in many ways about my experience as Leslie is pregnant and we begin this new phase of our family, but I've come to see nearly everything through this lens of family and, especially, my unborn son or daughter (for clarity, I'll use his/her nickname Bug -- gender neutral but still better than Baby, he/she, her/him, etc). I want to raise Bug to value discourse, debate, and conversation; I want my child to voice their convictions while learning from and analyzing those of others. So like all good journals, this blog will wander a bit. Sometimes it will be about children, family, what it feels like to be a father (almost), and things of that nature. Other times, it will be the place from which I attempt to pull my readers into conversations. My belief about blogs is that if I put it on the public web, then it's open for comment. I ask only that comments and discussion happen in the spirit in which I start them: open, respectful, and courteous. Passion, intensity, and vigor are welcome, so long as they come with rationality, reason, and respect. I will not participate in conversations based on vitriol, intolerance, insult, or narrow-minded bigotry: some may find this restrictive, but hey, it's still my blog.

I believe with all my heart and mind that people of different beliefs and opinions can engage in reasoned discourse while maintaining the highest level of courtesy and respect for their fellow conversationalists. The conversations which follow should not be construed as a condemnation or judgment against any person or persons: I may not choose to believe what you believe, or I may feel that your path is fundamentally flawed, but that doesn't mean I lack respect for you. I will hold you all this standard as I hope you will hold me to it.

I look forward to this slight repurposing of Family Chords -- I hope we can all demonstrate to our fellow citizens and to our children how noble and powerful debate and disagreement can be when we engage in it mindfully and respectfully.