Elizabeth Lesser: Take “the Other” to lunch

[roxiejules]

Run time: 11:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsSd2nmoKNA   Posted on YouTube: January 14, 2011 By YouTube Member: TEDtalksDirector Views on YouTube: 4730   Posted on DU: January 16, 2011 By DU Member: roxiejules Views on DU: 969

 
TEDTalks:

There's an angry divisive tension in the air that threatens to make modern politics impossible. Elizabeth Lesser explores the two sides of human nature within us (call them "the mystic" and "the warrior") that can be harnessed to elevate the way we treat each other.

[thecrow]

1. Kick for later

Sounds interesting :)

[MrMickeysMom]

2. Kicked for now, too!

[JDPriestly]

3. I've done that. Been there. And look where we are.

It sounds wonderful. It's nice to have a friend, but eventually, you just agree to disagree. And everything goes back to media madness.

Two nobodies can do very little to change much of anything.

I have found it is better to work to strengthen people who are on your side because the things that people on my side stand for are tolerance and kindness and sharing, and there is no way for society to survive if people who are on the other side prevail.

Over the years I have learned that you are wasting precious, potentially good moments when you talk to people who oppose tolerance, kindness and sharing. Just a waste of time.

Next we will be told to go to lunch with a sociopath or a psychopath. It is just a waste of time.

Cultivate good, nourishing friendships. If people who disagree with you on a few things are among your true friends, that's great. But don't go out of your way to spend the few hours of your life with people who will waste it.

[54anickel]

4. "...years of struggle against lies, stupidity and cowardice..." A quote from her talk.

I actually enjoyed the points she made, and how she thought of herself as part mystic, part warrior.
Personally, I found it a great talk, and shared the TED link on my FB page.

http://blog.ted.com/2011/01/16/martin-luther-king-jr-as-leader-a-tedtalks-playlist/

[JDPriestly]

6. I'm also part warrior and part mystic -- very definitely.

But the warrior part of me says that it is important to help those who most want your help and will make the most of your help -- first.

There are so many confused people on all sides who need our time and care and for some of us, information. I am not about to waste my time continuing to talk to people whose underlying values and beliefs are so different than mine that we waste each other's time.

If you haven't tried it, it is a great experience. But don't expect too much.

And remember, while you are having lunch with someone who has been brainwashed to believe nonsense, someone else who has questions that you can answer will be sitting alone. That is the problem.

[roxiejules]

7. I liked her points, too

The worst eras in human history start like this, with negative "otherwising".



Maturity is the ability to be compassionate, understanding and forgiving as opposed to living from a place of anger.

[midnight]

5. This idea of meeting the other side to discuss who we are without

reducing the conversation to labels is important.. I have always been so impressed with Dr. Dean for this reason.... He really has left open a door for dialogue. But the most important issue facing access to wonderful speakers like this women is thanks to the internet. Right now Sen. Franken is calling upon us to sign a petition at his website to keep comcast and nbc from being the deciders of what we have access to via the internets.

[roxiejules]

8. Thank you for the info

about signing the petition at Sen. Franken's site.