Dialog Minus Hostility

A forum on Marco for voicing opinions on today’s hot topics in a respectful, supportive environment is getting its start for 2026.  

Providing a safe space for the sharing of opposing viewpoints is the goal of the Point-Counterpoint moderated group discussions, which begin on January 8. The weekly gatherings are held January through March at the Marco Island Branch of the Collier County Public Library. 

“The purpose is public dialogue to learn from each other in a civil, intellectual manner,” saidElliott Mascoop, the program’s organizer and moderator. “Beyond that, the goal is to help bring people to understand each other and to dial down our polarization and our animosity over issues.  The goal is more interconnectedness in our relationships, as opposed to building walls. Hopefully, we get people from opposite ends of the spectrum talking to each other and actually agreeing on things that you'd never think possible.”  

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, the original speaker has another two minutes to respond to the counterpoint.  

Mascoop, who acts as the session facilitator, said that back-and-forth on a topic typically lasts for about 15 minutes before the next speaker presents their issue of concern.  

Topics may run the gamut from national politics and international matters to Florida, Collier County, and Marco issues – whatever is of interest to attendees. Mascoop saidthat passions can run hot where some matters are concerned in these highly polarized times, but an atmosphere of civility is the norm for Point-Counterpoint, which started in 2011.  

When asked what mindset is ideal for participants, he said it’s important they be “people wanting to express their feelings and their knowledge and their ideas and their opinions, whoare also willing to listen. They don't have to agree. They don't have to take on other people's viewpoints. All they have to do islisten and be respectful and come withideas they want to express.” 

He’s hoping to have 25 to 30 people attend each session.  

“The more people that come, the better it is,” said Mascoop. “And if you're coming, bring somebody with you. There is no pressure. Nobody has to get up and speak if they don't want to. But the more people who do, the more we learn and the better experience it is for everybody.” 

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.