But if you parry individuals points - a negative and defensive enterprise - you never step back and actively imagine a world in which a different system of ideas could be true - a positive act.

We all know we are unique individuals, but we tend to see others as representatives of groups.

All conversation, in addition to whatever else it does, displays, and asks for recognition of, our competence.

When people realize that in the long run you may be turning off the audiences more, even though they will look temporarily--in the end they turn away, we really need to develop other metaphors and not talk about two sides, but talk about all sides.

Relationships are made of talk - and talk is for girls and women.

Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.

[T]he seeds of [the Argument Culture] can be found our classrooms, where a teacher will introduce an article or an idea . . . setting up debates where people learn not to listen to each other because they're so busy trying to win the debate.