A Chance for Meaningful Communication

In this age of news bubbles, echo chambers, and rigid polarization, civil discussion is a rarity among those holding differing opinions about the day’s hot topics. The result: hostility and rejection, people talking at each other but not truly with each other. 

One key to erasing these barriers is forums where opposing viewpoints can be aired in an environment of respect. That opportunity is available on Marco Island thanks to the Point-Counterpoint moderated group discussions. The gatherings are held January through March, at the Marco Island Branch of the Collier County Public Library.

There is one session left in this year’s series, which began in January, set for Tuesday, March 25th.

“The goal of this group is to get people to respectfully interact and express ideas that probably will not agree with ideas that other people have,” said Elliott Mascoop, the program’s organizer and moderator. “You can be passionate, but you cannot be inflammatory. You can't use any hate speech. It's to express ideas and to be able to further the public understanding of differing points of view. It’s really to get people to talk to each other in a humane, civilized way without getting intense, aggravated, or abusive. And it works. We've done pretty well.”

At the sessions, speakers can express themselves uninterrupted, for five minutes. Next, they field comments and counterpoints from the audience. Each person responding gets two minutes to state their viewpoint. 

“After that, we give the person who made the presentation another two minutes to refute or to counter the counterpoint,” said Mascoop, who acts as the session facilitator. “It can go back and forth a couple of times, usually for about 15 minutes, then we call up another person who wants to discuss another issue.”

Forums such as Point-Counterpoint, he said, are essential at this time where the gulf in public opinion on matters, social and political, has reached heightened levels.

“The more extreme and polarized we get, and the more divided our country becomes, the more uncivilized and the more dangerous the world gets,” said Mascoop. “It's important to reverse that trend in any way we can and give people a safe, pleasant, calm, but intellectual space to bridge the gap in their own lives and their own minds, and to maybe learn how to do it within their own circle of friends and family.”

His wife, Rivka, agreed. 

“It seems that we're at a point now in our country and in our world where people are digging their heels in about their stances, and this can help reverse that trend,” she said. “I think it's really, really important for the survival of our society.”

Local Marco Island politics, city council, and water quality can get people on edge. DOGE and the layoffs, Israel-Gaza war. “Those are a couple of issues that have caused some interesting back and forth,” said Mascoop. “But we don't get out of control, and everybody leaves with a smile, so, you know, it works.”

He said the turnout at this year’s sessions has been “moderate,’ numbering 13 or 14 people. He’d like to see those numbers increase. 

“It's a good size group, but it's not optimal,” said Mascoop. “We really need a good 20 to 25 people for it to be the optimal size. If people want to bring a friend, all are welcome. It's free. You don't have to register. Just come and participate. Participation makes the group work.”

As for the future, holding sessions beyond March and perhaps year-round may be possible if there’s sufficient demand. 

For more information about Point-Counterpoint, please contact Elliott Mascoop at 239-298-1339. The Marco Island Branch of the Collier County Public Library is located at 210 S. Heathwood Drive.