My book club is reading about the New World Order, and arguments are getting out of hand. Suggestions for ground rules?

3 comments

3 Comments

Ground rules are a lifesaver... learned that after my own "birds aren't real" phase almost got me uninvited from game night. My big rule now is you gotta let the other person finish their whole wild thought before you jump in. It stops you from turning into that red-faced guy yelling about secret societies... which I definitely have been. Sometimes just hearing yourself say it out loud makes you realize how nuts it sounds.

paul1171mo ago

See how book clubs and family dinners both explode when someone brings up conspiracy theories. I watched my uncle turn red arguing about fluoride in water last Christmas. Ground rules work if you make them simple, like no personal attacks and let everyone finish their point. It stops people from talking over each other and actually listening. My friend's club uses a pass the talking stick rule for heated topics. Without that, you just get shouting matches where nobody learns anything.

mason7651mo ago

My family banned me from bringing up aliens after I spent an hour explaining how birds aren't real. Ground rules saved Thanksgiving for sure. I used to be the guy turning RED over fluoride too, but a talking stick made me realize I sound crazy when I don't let others talk. Now I try to listen more, even if my inner conspiracy theorist hates it. Simple rules like no interrupting can turn a fight into a REAL talk.