In the aftermath of the 2024 election in the United States, many are asking: Where Do we find the path toward a more inclusive, cohesive, and compassionate society? We posed this critical question to a diverse group of scholars, writers, and thinkers respected by the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center. Their insightful responses, presented below, largely emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, resilience in the face of division, and maintaining a long-term perspective. These dialogues aim to provide a roadmap forward for a society grappling with deep divides.
Eboo Patel: Where Do You Find Meaning? Keep Doing What Matters
Eboo Patel Headshot
Eboo Patel highlights the pervasive anxiety surrounding elections, noting how many express fears of democratic collapse regardless of the outcome. Initially, Patel felt compelled to reassure people about the strength of American institutions. However, he shifted his focus from sociological arguments to spiritual wisdom, asking, “where do we find solace and direction when faced with societal uncertainty?”
He recounts the story of Saint Francis of Assisi, who, when asked what he would do if the world were ending, replied he would continue tending his garden. A similar hadith from the Prophet Muhammad advises planting a seedling even if the world’s end is imminent. Patel suggests that this shared wisdom across traditions—Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others—boils down to recognizing the sacredness and impact of our daily actions. This perspective encourages us to consider: “where do we locate the ‘saving grace of humanity’ if not in our consistent, meaningful work?”
Patel believes that democracy’s resilience lies in the countless individuals engaged in meaningful activities. He emphasizes that “where do we see democracy in action? It’s in the everyday acts of people showing up at food banks, coaching youth sports, and mentoring children.” These seemingly small contributions, he argues, are the very fabric of a strong democracy and a civilized society.
Patel urges a spiritual reflection in the immediate post-election period. Instead of strategizing or sociologizing, he recommends asking yourself, “where do I find meaning in my life and in service to others, regardless of scale or visibility?” He concludes that continuing to engage in this meaningful work, however small, is the most crucial step forward.
Eboo Patel, Ph.D., is the founder and president of Interfaith America, a prominent voice on religious diversity and civic leadership.
Scott Shigeoka: Where Do We Begin to Understand? Practice Curiosity as Love
Scott Shigeoka Headshot
Scott Shigeoka addresses the prevalent fear and hate following elections, emotions that threaten well-being and relationships. He observes that these negative feelings can lead to dehumanization and division, even within families, asking, “where do these divisions manifest most painfully?” He shares a poignant anecdote of siblings fracturing their relationship over political differences.
Shigeoka proposes curiosity as the antidote to fear and hate, asking “where do we find the power to overcome these destructive emotions?” He emphasizes curiosity as an innate human trait that fosters deeper understanding. Curiosity enhances engagement, flexibility in considering diverse perspectives, and the ability to see others as individuals, reducing threat perception. Research, he notes, links curiosity to improved well-being.
Curiosity, Shigeoka clarifies, doesn’t necessitate agreement but challenges assumptions about those with differing views. He suggests approaching conversations with genuine, non-judgmental questions centered on personal experiences: “Where do your views originate? What life stories have shaped your perspectives?” He also proposes a surprising technique to interrupt prejudice: focusing on individual preferences like broccoli versus carrots, promoting individualization over group identity.
Shigeoka underscores the importance of maintaining dignity while holding individuals accountable. Ultimately, he champions curiosity as a form of love. He suggests we ask ourselves, “where do we start to love better in a divided world?” He advocates turning towards others, even those we disagree with, with genuine curiosity, seeking to understand their humanity rather than change their minds.
Scott Shigeoka, author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, is a Bridging Differences fellow at the Greater Good Science Center.
Jeremy Adam Smith: Where Do Our Values Lead Us? Promote Them in Community
Jeremy Adam Smith Headshot
Jeremy Adam Smith, drawing on two decades of experience reporting on the science of a meaningful life, challenges the notion that building a more inclusive society is primarily an individual endeavor. While acknowledging the value of personal growth—cultivating empathy, trust, humility, and gratitude—he questions, “where do individual efforts fall short in achieving broader social change?” He argues that personal change alone may not suffice for the societal transformation America needs.
Smith cautions against inward retreat, distraction, or despair in the face of societal challenges. Instead, he posits that the crucial first step involves reaffirming core values within a community context. He asks, “where do we locate the impetus for social change if not in shared values and collective action?” He advocates for mutual support in upholding these values and collaborative efforts to translate them into public policy.
Acknowledging the long and arduous nature of this process, marked by inevitable setbacks, Smith recalls writing a letter to his son after the 2016 election. He reiterates the enduring relevance of his message: to actively participate in good, engage in dialogue, listen, build bridges, and speak out against fear and hatred. He reflects on the question, “where do we turn after defeat?” and emphasizes learning from mistakes and persevering with values like curiosity, love, kindness, gratitude, and forgiveness.
Smith concludes by emphasizing community action: “Where do we find strength and purpose in challenging times? In working together to make this world a better place.” He underscores the power of collective effort grounded in shared values to drive meaningful social change.
Jeremy Adam Smith is the editor of Greater Good magazine, a publication of the Greater Good Science Center.
Mylien Duong: Where Do We Find Common Ground? Get to Know Other Humans
Mylien Duong’s work at the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) focuses on challenging simplistic views of “the other.” She shares her personal experience engaging in conversations across political divides on contentious issues like race, diversity initiatives, and abortion. She asks, “where do our perceptions of ‘the other’ begin to shift?”
Through these dialogues with strangers from opposing political parties, Duong’s perception evolved. She recounts her interactions with individuals like Stephanie, Vince, and Daniella, emphasizing that “where do we find humanity beyond political labels? In recognizing the real lives and shared aspirations of individuals.” She realized that these individuals were not driven by malice or misinformation, but by a desire for the well-being of their families.
Duong acknowledges the need for democratic reform, citing excessive reliance on outrage, political gridlock, and stalled progress on widely supported issues. She notes finding agreement on these points across the political spectrum. Participating in a group organized by Bridging the Gap founder Simon Greer, she engages in weekly Zoom discussions with individuals of diverse political leanings. Despite disagreements, they share a common frustration with demonization and extreme views in national discourse, prompting the question: “where do we find consensus amidst division?”
Duong urges moving beyond media narratives about opposing parties and encourages personal connection. She challenges readers to consider, “where do our understandings of political divides come from? And how many individuals from the ‘other side’ do we truly know?” If, like her, meaningful cross-party connections are lacking, she recommends organizations like Braver Angels that facilitate bridging these gaps. She concludes that while political reforms are essential, cultivating an electorate that sees systemic problems rather than enemies in fellow citizens is equally crucial.
Mylien Duong, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, is the Senior Director of Research and Innovation at the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
Linda R. Tropp: Where Do We Cultivate Community? Be a Good Neighbor
Linda R. Tropp emphasizes the contentious and consequential nature of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, acknowledging widespread anxiety and stress. She validates these feelings, citing statistics showing that over two-thirds of Americans report significant election-related stress and concerns about the nation’s future. Amidst this high-stakes environment, Tropp asks, “where do we rediscover our fundamental obligations to each other?”
Tropp argues that the focus on national-level politics can overshadow our roles as neighbors and fellow citizens within local communities. She shifts the emphasis from legal and institutional responsibilities to personal conduct and community engagement: “Where do we define our civic duty at its most basic level? It starts with how we interact with those around us.” Drawing on her Midwestern roots, she believes most Americans aspire to be good neighbors.
In an increasingly diverse and divided society, Tropp highlights the necessity of neighborliness across differences. She acknowledges the fear and threat that can arise when engaging with those perceived as different, leading to avoidance and unwelcoming behavior. She poses a crucial question for societal reflection: “Where do our fears and prejudices lead us if we allow them to dictate our interactions?”
Tropp offers an alternative vision inspired by Brené Brown’s work, envisioning communities where individuals enact their best selves. She challenges readers to consider, “where do we begin to build such communities?” The answer, she suggests, lies in actively practicing neighborliness, even and especially towards those who seem different. This involves consciously overriding avoidance instincts and cultivating habits of goodwill – friendly gestures, conversations, and collaborative efforts to address local challenges. Drawing on James Clear’s Atomic Habits, she emphasizes that “where do our actions lead us ultimately? Every neighborly action is a step towards becoming the kind of community we desire.”
Linda R. Tropp, Ph.D., is a professor of social psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, specializing in intergroup relations.
Manu Meel: Where Do We Find Common Ground? Choose Nuance Over Outrage
Manu Meel proposes four concrete steps toward a more pluralistic society after the election. First, he stresses acceptance of the election outcome, regardless of the winner. Second, he emphasizes refraining from treating those with differing views as enemies. He observes that “where do our societal divisions originate? Often from conflating disagreement with fundamental value differences.”
Meel advocates reaching out to those with whom we disagree, not for compromise or agreement, but for understanding. He asserts that “where do we discover common ground? By engaging with the lived experiences and compassion of those we disagree with.” This outreach aims to bridge the civic fabric and embrace diverse perspectives for a truly inclusive society.
Third, Meel urges engagement with fact-based information rather than opinions of pundits. He points out that “where do our discussions often go astray? When we prioritize punditry over factual understanding and personal values.” He stresses the importance of grounding dialogue in verifiable sources.
Finally, Meel addresses the “outrage industrial complex,” where sensationalism overshadows nuance. He asks, “where do we exert our influence in the digital age? By consciously choosing to reward nuanced, productive disagreement over outrage.” He encourages promoting thoughtful conversation on social media, recognizing our power to shape online discourse through our interactions and choices.
Manu Meel is the co-founder and CEO of BridgeUSA, an organization focused on promoting civic engagement and bridging divides.
Carol Graham: Where Do Constructive Conversations Begin? Become a Nation of Debaters
Carol Graham argues that the essential first step is shifting from speaking at each other to speaking with each other, emphasizing listening and understanding. She asks, “where do we cultivate the skills for constructive dialogue in a divided society?” She proposes reviving debating skills, particularly among youth, lamenting the decline of high school debate teams.
Graham posits that “where do we see the qualities of a good citizen exemplified? In a skilled debater.” Effective debate, she explains, necessitates understanding opposing viewpoints to formulate effective counterarguments. She advocates for becoming a “nation of debaters” who prioritize listening and understanding. This approach requires considering opposing viewpoints when advocating for policies or social change.
Graham highlights the crucial role of civil society—private citizens, NGOs, community organizations—in fostering constructive dialogue. She observes that “where do we find greater unity and less division? Often at the local and community level.” Local arenas provide opportunities to recognize shared values and achieve consensus. She emphasizes that national progress requires acknowledging and addressing the concerns of all segments of society, as governance cannot exclude half the population. She concludes that moving forward will be challenging, requiring humility and a recognition that progress necessitates collaboration and understanding across divides.
Carol Graham, Ph.D., is a senior fellow in economics at Brookings, a College Park Professor at the University of Maryland, and a Gallup senior scientist.
Kurt Gray: Where Do We Find Connection Beyond Facts? Tell Your Story
Kurt Gray argues against relying solely on facts and statistics to bridge divides, noting their limited persuasive power in a polarized society. He asks, “where do facts fail to bridge divides, and what resonates more deeply?” He champions the power of personal storytelling.
Gray explains that “where do our minds naturally connect and find truth? In the narrative form of stories.” Stories, rooted in human evolution and experiences, possess a unique power to convey truth beyond statistics. Sharing personal stories, especially those related to suffering, helps others understand the origins of political convictions.
He contrasts the dismissal of statistics with the empathetic response to personal narratives. While people may reject statistics on contentious issues, they are more likely to connect with stories of personal harm. Gray’s research supports this, showing that sharing experiences of harm fosters respect and perceived rationality. He asks, “where do we find common ground in the human experience? In shared vulnerabilities and stories of suffering.”
Stories revolving around suffering, Gray argues, are particularly potent because pain, worry, and fear are universal human experiences. These narratives of vulnerability bridge mental gaps, fostering empathy and recognition of shared inner lives. He acknowledges the challenge of storytelling in a politically segregated society and advises preparation, emphasizing that facts alone are insufficient for connection. He suggests shifting from sharing facts on social media to sharing personal experiences. Ultimately, he stresses that “where do we find success in dialogue? Not in winning arguments, but in building understanding and sharing ourselves authentically.”
Kurt Gray, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina and author of Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.
Kayla DeMonte: Where Do We Foster Belonging? Invite People In
Kayla DeMonte acknowledges the heightened feelings of disrespect and misunderstanding experienced by many after the election. She emphasizes that democracy relies on mutual trust among the electorate, regardless of political outcomes. She asks, “where do we rebuild trust and common purpose in a divided electorate?”
DeMonte highlights the primacy of social connection over political ideology for many individuals. She cites the concept that “the fear of social death can feel greater than that of physical death,” emphasizing the fundamental human need for belonging. She asks, “where do our deepest motivations for unity lie? In our inherent need for social connection and belonging.” She argues that tribalism stems from a desire for love and belonging, not inherent hatred.
DeMonte believes that cultural shifts, not solely policy changes, are key to progress. She expresses hope in the collective agency to address cultural divisions. She proposes a starting point: actively fostering inclusivity and respect in civic life. She asks, “where do we begin to cultivate a culture of inclusion and respect?” She encourages individuals to invite diverse participation in civic events, seeking and valuing different opinions. Whether in formal leadership roles or as individuals, she emphasizes the power to create welcoming spaces. She concludes that fostering a culture of belonging, while not a panacea, provides the essential foundation for solving societal problems.
Kayla DeMonte is the Chief Program Officer at Citizen University, an organization dedicated to building responsible citizenship.
