Blocked discourse

How consent is made

On communicative ethics

On communicative ethics

1. In this model, ethics are in practices, not in people.

a. We’d ask, are our interactions more or less reciprocal and is it possible to challenge existing theories and assumptions?

On communicative ethics

1. In this model, ethics are in practices, not in people.• We’d ask, are our interactions more or less reciprocal and

is it possible to challenge existing theories and assumptions?

2. Ethics are a “positive” force, not merely a “speed limit” on self-interested communication

On communicative ethics

1. In this model, ethics are in practices, not in people.• We’d ask, are our interactions more or less reciprocal and

is it possible to challenge existing theories and assumptions?

2. Ethics are a “positive” force, not merely a “speed limit” on self-interested communication• Ethical communication can help arrive at solutions and

innovations we couldn’t have found alone

Blocked discourse

Blocked discourse

• “When discussion is thwarted, a particular view of reality is maintained at the expense of equally plausible ones usually to someone’s advantage.” (Deetz, 235)

Blocked discourse

• “When discussion is thwarted, a particular view of reality is maintained at the expense of equally plausible ones usually to someone’s advantage.” (Deetz, 235)

• “…systems of domination are protected from careful exploration and political advantage is protected and extended.”

Blocked discourse

• “When discussion is thwarted, a particular view of reality is maintained at the expense of equally plausible ones usually to someone’s advantage.” (Deetz, 235)

• “…systems of domination are protected from careful exploration and political advantage is protected and extended.”

Blocked discourse

• “quiet, repetitive micro practices done for innumerable reasons which function to maintain normalized conflict-free experience and social relations.” (235)

Blocked discourse

Deetz provides six ways of “blocking” conversations that ought to happen…

Blocked discourse

Deetz provides six ways of “blocking” conversations that ought to happen…1. Disqualification2. Naturalization3. Neutralization4. Topical avoidance5. Subjectification of Experience6. Meaning denial

Disqualification

Disqualification

• Keeping important conversations from happening by denying someone’s right to speak, or denying the value of their speech

Disqualification

• Keeping important conversations from happening by denying someone’s right to speak, or denying the value of their speech

Naturalization

Naturalization

• Keeping important conversations from happening by claiming that the current conditions are “Natural” or “just the way it is” or “the way we do things around here.”

Neutralization

Neutralization

• Keeping conversations from happening by claiming that the current condition is “objective” or “value-free” and that only the alternatives are “political” and “biased”

Neutralization

• Keeping conversations from happening by claiming that the current condition is “objective” or “value-free” and that only the alternatives are “political” and “biased”

• This hides the fact that every system is “political” and “biased”—and it protects the dominant values from scrutiny.

Topical Avoidance

Topical Avoidance

• Keeping important conversations from happening by making certain topics “off-limits.”

Subjectification of Experience

Subjectification of Experience

• Keeping conversations from advancing by claiming that some position is “just my opinion” (or “just your opinion”)… and therefore not open to discussion

Subjectification of Experience

• Keeping conversations from advancing by claiming that some position is “just my opinion” (or “just your opinion”)… and therefore not open to discussion

• Free and open Communication would require that claims about our feelings and opinions should be the start not the end of the discussion

Meaning Denial

Meaning Denial

• Keeping important conversation from happening by denying subtle or underlying meanings

• This allows a person to get a message across without having to take responsibility for it

Meaning Denial

• Keeping important conversation from happening by denying subtle or underlying meanings

• This allows a person to get a message across without having to take responsibility for it– Many forms of discrimination and sexual

harassment work this way…

Re-opening Conversation

Re-opening Conversation

• Metacommunication: Talk about talk– pointing to discourse blockages and working for greater reciprocity

Re-opening Conversation

• Metacommunication: Talk about talk– pointing to discourse blockages and working for greater reciprocity

• Rhetoric: Directly challenging dominant meanings and interpretations

Re-opening Conversation

• Metacommunication: Talk about talk– pointing to discourse blockages and working for greater reciprocity

• Rhetoric: Directly challenging dominant meanings and interpretations

• Strategy: Civil disobedience, disrupting systems, forcing crises