Former Obama speechwriter David Litt on discovering impartial floor

Writer David Litt, whose new e-book known as “It’s Only Drowning: A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Search for Common Ground,” is aware of loads in regards to the methods of Washington, and the workings of human nature:

What occurs when a former Obama speechwriter and a Joe Rogan superfan begin browsing collectively? Effectively, when you’re me, and the superfan is my brother-in-law Matt, what occurs is that this:

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You be taught that in our divided nation, “common ground” is even more durable to search out than you thought. However “neutral ground” is extra vital than you imagined.

For a very long time, Matt and I had mainly nothing in frequent. He’s an electrician who owns a pickup truck for work; I’m a author who owns two pc displays for work. He listens to dying metallic; I hearken to Stephen Sondheim.

Matt as soon as threw out his again coaching to be a mixed-martial arts fighter, and I as soon as threw out my again selecting up a bag of cat litter.

However Matt’s a surfer, and in the course of the pandemic, I began browsing, too. We started spending time collectively within the water, and even set our sights on a visit to Oahu’s famously harmful North Shore.

I imagined that our journey would reveal the frequent floor you hear a lot about today.

Nope! We nonetheless have mainly nothing in frequent.

We disagree about little stuff, like music and meals. We disagree about huge stuff, like voting and vaccines.

However what we found is that our disagreements don’t need to imply all the pieces. The ocean grew to become our impartial floor, a spot the place we might spend time collectively centered on one thing aside from our variations. 

We discovered from one another. We broadened one another’s horizons. We grew to become pals. And that friendship has led to actual discussions – not simply debates or arguments – on points the place we don’t see eye-to-eye. That’s extra vital than ever.

Browsing buddies: David Litt (proper) together with his brother-in-law, Matt. 

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As my previous boss used to say, we’ve to have the ability to “disagree without being disagreeable.” So, if there’s somebody in your life who you’re afraid to speak with about political stuff – and today, all the pieces looks as if political stuff – right here’s my recommendation: Discover your impartial floor. Be open to unlikely friendships. Be keen to be taught from somebody, even when it’s somebody you don’t absolutely perceive.

And likewise, when you’re selecting up a bag of cat litter, elevate together with your legs, not your again.

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     Story produced by Annie Iezzi. Editor: Emanuele Secci. 

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