On civility and open-mindedness......

Tim Harford offers a check-list for the art of disagreement:

1.   Take five minutes before responding. Walk around the block.
2.   Don’t argue to win, argue to learn.
3.   Avoid people who fan flames.
4.   Don’t feel you have to weigh in on every topic.
5.   If your peers demand you weigh in, ponder your choice of peers.
6.   Seek out thoughtful people who disagree with you. Listen.
7.   Examine your own emotional responses.
8.   Summarise your opponents’ arguments fairly and thoughtfully.