Opinion: Turn disagreements into dialogue

Commentary by Jeff Worrell

Piping hot coffee in hand, I had just settled into my favorite corner of the café when I overheard a heated exchange at the next table. Two gentlemen were locked in debate over a local issue — but instead of listening, they were talking past each other. Eyes fixed on their phones, they fired off rebuttals before the other could even finish a thought, digital proof in hand.

I get it. The world moves fast, and AI makes it even faster. Social media amplifies voices, but it also erodes our patience. We react instead of reflect. We type instead of talk. But here’s the thing — civility isn’t old-fashioned. It’s the foundation of real conversation.

What if, instead of canceling someone over a disagreement, we invited them to coffee? What if we chose empathy over outrage, curiosity over assumption?

When a disagreement turns into a dialogue, everyone benefits. Understanding doesn’t require agreement, just a willingness to listen. No AI, no algorithms — just two people, face to face, choosing to be civil.

In this age of instant communication, let’s not forget the power of a thoughtful pause, a kind word, and the radical act of simply listening. Communities grow stronger that way — and the coffee tastes better, too.