Debate, discussion, argument?

Are you having a debate, an argument or a series of contradictory statements?

This is one of my very few “reactionary” posts.

There is a lot of discourse going on about a few major subjects they seem to get people pretty heated under the collar.

How do you have a debate and put your side across so the others may understand, even if they still disagree?

Start with an objective.

There was a question asked I saw “Is same sex parenting harmful?”. This is a bit like “when did you stop beating partner?”. There are assumptions and presups in these questions. What is the objective of these questions? The first one is about same sex couples, not about parenting. If it was about parenting then children would be in the question. In the second it is about the beating of the partner, and not about whether the beating took place at all.
The right question? In the first one, if the subject was about parenting, then something like “Whats the best environment for children to grow up in?” and in the second “Did any beating take place?”. In both questions there is a disassociation taking place, no blame and no personal offence can be taken.

How is it done? It’s actually quite simple. Here’s the framework. I got this from my time in the Army and I’ve been using it ever since.

The Framework

1. Sit Rep (Situation report) This outlines the big picture, the actual situation pealed back to its core. What’s this really about? Outcome and missions are born here.

2. Plan/ Strategy: Conceive plans and strategies for moving forward. This is the “how to” area.

3. Execution: Implementation of plan

4. Review/ reflect: Test and measure (feedback), modify plan for required outcome.

When done well, and on a regular basis it becomes second nature in almost all your thinking.

(Any comments about the subject in the examples will not be published)