Freethinking - Preventing Personal Attacks
On rare occassions, people not familiar with the freethinking process use personal attacks. This might be to gain dominance or because they've never had anyone question their views in the past. Some try to dictate what everyone should think by picking on those who express views different to their own. Dictating what others should think directly opposes freethought, and stiffles an open, friendly and productive dialogue. Facilitator will usually detect when this occurs and raise a point of order. However, as personal attacks tend to sneek into a people's expressions, it is hoped that everyone watches out for them. Personal attacks erode the positive culture we are trying to grow and benefit from.
Several techniques have been noted:
- Direct attack, e.g. saying "You're stupid", or to a younger person "you're too young to understand".
- Indirect attack, e.g. in response to someone saying "The earth is round", they reply "Only a fool would think the earth is round".
- Gesture attack, e.g. rolling eyes and giving dismissive gestures to others whilst someone is expressing thoughts they don't agree with.
People usually react to a personal attack by no longer talking, igoring whatever the other person has to say, or by attacking them back. All these erode the quality of the discussion. Attendees are encouraged to raise a point of order if someone uses these techniques to try and hijack the meeting.
It is also recommended that people target the response to the idea being put forward rather than the person putting it forward. e.g. say "but what about..." rather than "You said... but...". Targeting the person can lead to hurt egos and angry exchanges.
No one's perfect; Freethinking conversation skills are learnt with practice and self-control. They enable you to discuss a wide range of topics on any occassion without worrying about upseting peoples' egos. Why stick to safe conversations about the weather or work, when they are so many other things everyone would enjoy chatting about? Freethinking conversations skills are really handy to have!
There's a break mid-way through the night to have a drink and socialise.
Most of the time no clear-cut truth emerges, however, in the process of discovery, group members get a wider insight on the chosen topic and get to know other people in the group in the process.
There is a theme of freedom of thought, honesty and equality. It�s a meeting where people actively listen to what you have to say. People with strongly held, previously unchallenged views, will find the discussions thought provoking.