Constructive Controversy

Sport and Competition

Why Intercollegiate Athletics Should Be Eliminated

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on July 14, 2021

The Supreme Court has decided that some college athletes can be paid. This decision misrepresents the purpose of higher education, which is to educate.

The Supreme Court has decided that some college athletes can be paid. This decision misrepresents the purpose of higher education, which is to educate.

Should elementary and secondary and university students return to the classroom? What is the purpose of having students in the standard classroom?

Can the divide between Americans be resolved? Having everyone agree is not a viable answer. The key to bringing Americans together is changing the way they argue.

Intelligence

A Paradox in the History of U.S. Slavery

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on August 13, 2020

People often seem to engage in behaviors that contradict their beliefs. Our founding fathers are no exception.

People often seem to engage in behaviors that contradict their beliefs. Our founding fathers are no exception.

Motivation

Unifying Our Country

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on February 25, 2020

There is a great deal of talk about uniting our country without much specificity as to how it can be done. The secret is positive interdependence.

There is a great deal of talk about uniting our country without much specificity as to how it can be done. The secret is positive interdependence.

A necessary step in bringing citizens together.

Relationships

The Importance of Taking the Perspective of Others

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on June 5, 2019

Is it difficult to find solutions to problems that satisfy everyone involved? Perspective-taking may be the answer.

Is it difficult to find solutions to problems that satisfy everyone involved? Perspective-taking may be the answer.

Conflict in a democracy does not have to be divisive. It can be informative.

Consumer Behavior

We Need to Remember Robert Kennedy

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on October 16, 2018

Is the constant barrage of negative advertising getting you down? Listening to Robert F. Kennedy's speeches may help you regain your balance.

Is the constant barrage of negative advertising getting you down? Listening to Robert F. Kennedy's speeches may help you regain your balance.

Environment

The Nature of Conservativism

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on August 10, 2018

What the world needs now is more dedicated conservatives. They seem to be an endangered species.

What the world needs now is more dedicated conservatives. They seem to be an endangered species.

Friends

Discussing with Closed-Minded Students

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on June 20, 2018

Professors are frequently challenged by closed-minded students with extreme views, right or left. Here are guidelines for making the experience beneficial.

Professors are frequently challenged by closed-minded students with extreme views, right or left. Here are guidelines for making the experience beneficial.

Anger

Possible Consequences of Arming Teachers

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on February 28, 2018

Are you worried about the safety of students in schools? Guns are not the answer.

Are you worried about the safety of students in schools? Guns are not the answer.

Tired of destructive discussions? Here are some guidelines that will make discussions informative rather than frustrating.

Can the United States discover the need to promote the common good over the interests of the rich and powerful? It may require the establishment of a new political party.

Do the advances in social media, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technology threaten our basic nature as humans, or will technology enhance our humanness?

Most important decisions are made by groups in which there are strong pressures to agree with high power persons and to not risk offending anyone by disagreeing with their ideas.

Trust

Why False News Endangers Democracy

David W. Johnson Ed.D. on December 10, 2016

Democracy will only exist as long as citizens honestly and with integrity advocate truthful positions. Once false news become commonplace, democracy is in danger.

Democracy will only exist as long as citizens honestly and with integrity advocate truthful positions. Once false news become commonplace, democracy is in danger.

We spend huge amounts of money determining whether schools are teaching academic material successfully. But is that the most important task for schools? Maybe not.

Our national identity is primarily psychological

The key to successful democratic elections is constructive political discourse. Often political discourse is destructive. Here is a framework for assessing its quality.