‘Debate me!’ doesn’t work. Here are better ways to disagree – and maybe change minds

Other communication techniques can help move disagreement past attacks and sound bites.

By: Lisa Pavia-Higel, Missouri University of Science and Technology, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: May 27, 2026

Words: 1,394

Last Updated: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

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By Lisa Pavia-Higel, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Spend time on social media and you will see debates with titles like “I destroy MAGA mom on vaccines” or “Conservative philosopher owns feminist student.” These popular videos focus on clip-worthy gotcha questions, one-line zingers and screaming matches edited for virality.

These “debates” would be unrecognizable to the Founding Fathers, who enshrined debate as a primary tool of legislative deliberation. Even the passionate exchanges of …

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