Our political and cultural polarization, along with our declining ability to hear and understand each other, appears to have accelerated exponentially recently. Some fear we are on a path to another civil war.

Perhaps we can blame the fragmenting structure of how we get our news—social media causing diminished reliance on newspapers and TV networks, which has amplified differences in our points of view, fomented departures from truths, and fostered hostilities. Many believe a large segment of the US population has increasingly felt excluded and has grown mistrustful of the present government.

History provides examples of polarizations that led to violence before emerging with new governing structures and leaders. Think of Russia in 1917 or China after WWII, or, going further back, even the circumstances that led to our own formation in 1776.

If you think this pattern does not bode well for our future as a country, what should be done about it? Who should do it? Is civil conflict really inevitable?  What can we do to initiate a reversal?

Polarization is also a personal experience. We will discuss how increasing polarization has affected each of us personally, and perhaps most importantly we will explore how we can learn to have positive interactions with those with whom we fundamentally disagree.

Pricing Information: 
HBS Association of Boston Members - Complimentary
Non-Member Alumni - Complimentary

To register for this event and for more information, please visit the HBS Association of Boston's website. 

This event will be held on Zoom and your webinar link will be sent the morning of the event at 9:00 am from events@hbsab.org.  If you do not receive this email, please contact jason@hbsab.org.