The Turnstone: talking about vaccines #24
The Turnstone: talking about vaccines #24
Cooling the conversation (2 minute read)
Welcome to The Turnstone: talking about vaccines. Here, I share resources to help you have kind and non-judgemental conversations with people who are uncertain about, or opposed to, vaccination.
Too often, conversations about vaccines are highly polarised, and risk degenerating into insults. And when that happens, the chances are nobody will learn anything new. So, this month I focus on how we have conversations, with an emphasis on communicating with respect and in good faith.
Respectful disagreement online (2 minute read)
All of the points here probably seem obvious, but it’s easy to get sucked into disrespectful communication online. This article gives a quick reminder on how avoid that trap.
How to respectfully disagree online - Netsafe – Providing free online safety advice in New Zealand
The ethics of disagreement (5 minute read)
This thoughtful article offers some suggestions on how to argue in more respectful and ethical ways.
Actually, it's OK to disagree. Here are 5 ways we can argue better (theconversation.com)
Disagreement in the workplace (6 minute read)
The 15 suggestions here are aimed at helping people have better disagreements with work colleagues, but they are useful to consider in any difference of opinion.
15 Productive Ways To Disagree With A Colleague's Idea (forbes.com)
How to be NICE (9 minute read)
This article looks at how to take the heat out of contentious conversations, using a technique with the acronym NICE.
How To Depolarize Society: Be NICE! | Time
Good and bad faith communication (11 minute read)
Although a little wordy, this article has some useful information on signs of bad faith communication to look out for – not just in others but in yourself.
The Endgames of Bad Faith Communication (consilienceproject.org)
Communicating with vocal vaccine deniers (50 page guide)
If you find yourself having regular online conversations with committed vaccine opponents, this guide is worth a look. It’s not aimed at convincing vaccine opponents, who are unlikely to change their mind in front of an audience. It’s aimed at countering the impact of their views on those around them who may be vulnerable to their arguments. While it’s aimed at professionals, it contains good advice for those having debates online. I’m still reading this myself, but so far the advice in it is sound.
Vocal-vaccine-deniers-guidance-document.pdf (who.int)
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