| May 2012 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
The 911 commission came up with a very effective way of building group consensus. Thomas Kean, chairman of the 911 commission, on THE O’REILLY FACTOR, 7/22/04 (no link—transcribed from a recording):
We had an interesting thing by the way. Whenever we got into a discussion on the commission and we started to really disagree on some things, we had a mantra, and that is, “Let’s go back to the facts.” You have to agree on the facts.
“Let’s go back to the facts.” This unassuming and easily overlooked action is effective within working groups, as in the example of the 911 commission.
It is also very useful in discussion or debate. A perfect example is found on Silent Running, in an article discussing recently published statements by Rick Perlstein of the Village Voice:
Welcome to the blogosphere, Mr. Perlstein. Excuse us while we engage in a favorite exercise, known as “fact checking your ass”, via a loose adaptation of a style known in the ‘sphere as ‘Fisking’.
...Now, I’m sure the you have some background materials to support this particularly incendiary charge, yes? Now that you’re in the ‘sphere, here’s your chance to do what is done here – give us a link, please.
“Give us a link, please,” means “Let’s go back to the facts.”
This is a great way to have a polite conversation with someone regarding politics whose views differ from yours.
“Let’s go back to the facts”—this is exactly what the Left is not doing; it’s something the blogosphere is doing extremely well; and it’s an easily overlooked, and very powerful tool, for building accurate opinions—within working groups, and in discussion and debate.
Update 8-19-04. Welcome, Carnival of the Vanities readers! This site is proud to have this article included in the latest Carnival of the Vanities, hosted this week by FringeBlog.
