Episode 22 – How the Dignity Index Offers Hope for More Productive Political Discourse

Tami Pyfer discusses the Dignity Index, a scale that measures the level of contempt or dignity in public speech. She explains that the index is a problem-solving tool that helps individuals recognize and address contemptuous language. Tami emphasizes the importance of treating others with dignity and engaging in healthy, dignified conversations to bridge the political divide. She shares insights from a pilot project in Utah, where the index was used to evaluate political speech and promote more respectful dialogue. Tami also highlights the need for a new patriotism that values diversity of thought and opinion while maintaining dignity in political discourse.

Key Takeaways:

• The Dignity Index measures the level of contempt or dignity in public speech on a scale of one to eight.
• Contemptuous language shuts down speech, while dignity opens up channels for dialogue and problem-solving.
• The index is a tool for individuals to reflect on their own speech and strive for more dignified conversations.
• The exhausted majority, those tired of divisive politics, can play a role in promoting dignity and respectful dialogue.
• The goal is to put dignity on the ballot in 2024, encouraging candidates to use dignified language and incentivizing dignity in political campaigns.

Quotes:

• "We believe that you can't solve a problem if you can't name it and define it and measure it." - Tami Pyfer
• "We can't solve problems, political problems, by hating each other. And we can't solve them if we have contempt for each other." - Tami Pyfer
• "Contempt shuts down speech. The dignity index doesn't shut down speech. We want to open up speech." - Tami Pyfer
• "We want diversity of thought and action and speech. We want to bring in diverse voices and perspectives to better problem solve." - Tami Pyfer
• "We want to put dignity on the ballot in 2024 and raise national awareness of the language of contempt and the language of dignity." - Tami Pyfer

About The Guest(s):

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Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Outrage Overload, a Conners Institute podcast, is part of The Democr...