Stanford Magazine, a publication of the Stanford Alumni Association, shows up quarterly in my mailbox. The Spring 2025, issue had an article by Jill Patton (who is not a relation, as far as I know). The article was titled, "Disagree With Me."
Besides the title itself, the two-page title spread contained this statement: "It's getting hard to remember a time before polarization, self-censorship, and social-media shouting matches." The text continued: "But there are proven ways to make dialogue constructive, and Stanford faculty are teaching them."
I bet you agree with the first sentence that I have just quoted (I certainly do). Think back, as Jill Patton advises, and try to remember a time before "polarization." I assume that you will be happy to hear that someone is trying to deal with the problem. I don't think you have to be a Stanford graduate to read this article, online. Click right here to do so. I do recommend it!
The Stanford program that addresses issues of polarization and self-censorship is called, "ePluribus Stanford." If you click that link, you'll find out just how the program has been designed. In addition, here is a quote from Patton's article that reports on some recent efforts:
Thoughts to Live ByIn the fall, ePluribus Stanford organized a series of ask-me-anything dorm conversations with faculty members dubbed “Pizza, Politics, and Polarization,” with a focus on political gridlock. During winter quarter, it piloted eight Civic Salons, mostly in dorm lounges, where students dug into topics like collective action or constitutions with professors who were subject-matter experts. And in the spring, it broadened the topics of the salons to embrace the global. “As a residential university,” Edelstein says, “we are committed to the idea that students should be learning just as much from one another as they are from their professors.”
According to Wikipedia, "ePluribus Unum" is a traditional "motto" of the United States of America, and those Latin words appear on our "Great Seal." Here is what the words mean: "Out of many, one." It is our American idea, in other words, that divisions and distinctions should be considered to be a "feature" of our society, and not a "bug." Our diversity makes us stronger, not weaker, and we are privileged to live in a society in which differences are not only tolerated, but encouraged.
There wasn't any ePluribus Stanford program when I was an undergraduate or law student there. But I did major in History, with a focus on American History, and I graduated with Honors in Social Thought and Institutions. Read what Stanford is doing to try to overcome the polarization, self-censorship, and the kind of social media shouting matches that are putting our system of democratic self-government at risk. As I say, I don't think there's a paywall to prevent you from seeing what Stanford has to say about one of our most pressing political problems.
I recommend Patton's article, "Disagree With Me" (or, did I already say that?).
I did; I know I did, but that's alright. Twice is nice, if it's good advice!
Foundation of Freedom
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