
An introduction to talking and disagreeing well in public life. Eight levels cover why civil discourse matters for self-government (and the critique that civility norms can silence the less powerful), active listening, arguing fairly with steelmanning and a clear burden of proof, why facts alone rarely change minds, persuasion methods with real evidence behind them, de-escalating heated exchanges, the special problems of online discussion, and how people with deeply different values can still share a community.
The aim is skill, not conformity: you should finish able to listen so others feel heard, argue for your views without distorting anyone else's, cool down a conversation that is overheating, and explain both the case for civility and its strongest critics. No background needed.
CivilSimian.com created by AxiomaticPanic, CivilSimian, Kalokagathia