Taking the Pulse

How to create a space of empathy and humanity when conflict arises in conversations/interactions.

A how to guide for those moments of conflict that will empower all of us to engage rather than negate. Our goal is to enable us to talk with each other in ways that:

  • Humanize

  • Create empathy

  • Spark passionate inquiry (and maybe even behavior change?)

2022 SIDL Burgundy Team - Craig Dale & Sarah Bushman.webm

We are:

Craig Dale (201-681-8400, cwd@craigdale.com)

I'm a photographer, designer, and art teacher. Taking the Pulse is important to me because I think it will help restore a sense of dialogue and combat polarization. I want to be able to have conversations with friends I don't agree with.

Sarah Bushman (@SarahBmediadev, sbushman@irex.org)

I'm a Senior Program Officer in IREX's Information and Media Practice. Taking the Pulse is important to me because I find myself turning away and blocking out voices I don't agree with. This makes me less, and means I don't bring all of myself to my public life. I miss opportunities for deep connections that could be transforming, and I miss the chance to truly make the world a better place. In my work I focus on supporting the free flow of quality independent information around the world and equipping youth and adults with the skills for information resilience.

Taking the Pulse is a guide to humanizing, empathy-driven conversations. It is easy to understand and follow and works across cultures and contexts. You can find the guide in multiple formats:

  • visual guide cards (in pdf so they can be easily printed and reproduced--Creative Commons license)

  • Online graphics

  • YouTube explainer video?

You can also train on Taking the Pulse using flexible adaptable learning modules found in IREX's Learn 2 Discern approach and ___________(stay tuned for more sites!)

Why the title? Taking the Pulse is quirky, attention grabbing. Both physical and metaphorical. Serves to make us pause and take time (take our pulse, take your pulse). Breaks the escalation in a conflict.


Next steps:

  1. Complete draft guide

  2. Testing and feedback

  3. Iterating

  4. Launch

  5. Feedback loop for continuing iteration

We have consulted the following resources for ideas and guidance:

SIDL 2022!

Right to be (https://righttobe.org/) 5Ds of Bystander Intervention

Cultural Humility (https://hogg.utexas.edu/3-things-to-know-cultural-humility)

IREX Learn to Discern (L2D) Master Curriculum (https://www.irex.org/project/learn-discern-l2d-media-literacy-training)



Other questions we want to look at:

  • How to assess risk in these conversations? When should we not engage?

  • How to prepare for these conversations? I.e. who am I? What are my preconceived ideas about a group or person? What is the power dynamic? What is MY power?

  • How does this work in a group of people?

  • What to ask yourself when adapting to another culture/language/demographic