Compassionate Communication by Bruce

Compassionate Communication by Bruce - February 2022 Scholarship Essay

It has become increasingly evident that the ability for civil discourse within our society is becoming more difficult to achieve. The forbidden topics have expanded from politics and religion to; medicine, science, sports, economics and about any social interaction. Artificial intelligence algorithms select for our confirmation biases, widening the gap beyond that which may be easily bridged.

We are taught to fight for our rights, and by extension, our opinions. What we are not taught, is how to support one another in our growth processes.

I propose an elective course that teaches basic compassionate communication skills. How to listen to an opinion that may be different than yours, how to state your opinion without making the other wrong. Teaching how to inquire with curiosity and seek understanding rather than needing to “win” every discussion. By setting aside the competitive nature of modern communication and moving more towards a cooperative model, this would strengthen our communities and our world as a whole.