Recorded on: May 13th, 2016
Air Date: May 16th, 2016
Civil Discourse
Speakers:
- Chris Pryor, Eugene City Councilor
- Christa Morgan, Co-Founder & VP of Design, Civil Co.
This presidential campaign has demonstrated the new lows that our civic discourse has reached--low in accuracy and analysis and, for many candidates, sadly deficient in civility. Unfortunately this decline isn’t unique to this campaign, but seems to have become pervasive in American society. In Eugene our recent discussions on South Willamette, homelessness, and West Eugene EmX have resulted in angry and ugly words in public venues as well as printed and social media. For examples, take a look at the Eugene Craigslist postings under politics or rants and raves (If you have the stomach).
Fortunately folks are doing something about it. Kansas State University and the University of Arizona have established Institutes of Civil Discourse. Numerous political columnists have called for healthier exchanges. To counter the incivility trend locally, the Register Guard has installed CivilComments, a program that uses peer review to temper the language of written responses to their articles. Your City Club has taken to reminding our members at every meeting that respect for divergent views is necessary to meet our goal of “bringing clarity and vision to Eugene.” We realize that it is only in a respectful and safe environment that “minds come out to play” every Friday at the Baker Center.
To explore this issue and spark lively (but rational) dialogue, we have asked ever-civil City Councilor Chris Prior to share his insights on the subject. He will describe the process of developing civility as an elected official and provide some ideas about how government can be more effective at promoting good interactions with the public.
We also will hear from Christa Mrgan, Co-Founder & VP of Design for Civil Co. She will come down from Portland to discuss how their program CivilComments.com works and how it improves online discussions.
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