Mountain Perspectives

Conversation Analytics

There are 6 qualities known to be in great conversations. The qualities identified were the result of a large scientific endeavor, then used as a foundation of the Google's Perspective API project. To learn more about the research, you can also visit these white papers [1] [2].
Video by PerspectiveAPI

Quality: Reasoning

In the context of a quality or constructive conversation, reasoning is the fundamental process of building a logical, justifiable, and coherent connection between a claim (your opinion or conclusion) and the evidence or facts (the premises) that support it. It is what allows a conversation to move beyond simple exchange of opinions to a productive dialogue focused on shared understanding and objective conclusions. In essence, when you are asked for your "reasoning" in a quality conversation, you are being asked to show your work: to lay out the evidence and the logical steps you took to reach your point.

Quality: Respect

In the context of a quality conversation, respect is the fundamental principle that recognizes the inherent worth, dignity, and autonomy of the other person, particularly their right to hold and express a viewpoint that may differ from your own. It is the necessary ingredient that creates a psychologically safe environment, allowing for genuine honesty, curiosity, and productive disagreement. Without respect, a conversation devolves into a mere performance, a debate, or an unproductive exchange of insults. Respect in dialogue goes beyond just being polite; it is demonstrated through specific behaviors and mindsets. Respect is the deliberate effort to ensure the other person feels heard, valued, and safe to express their genuine self throughout the conversation.

Quality: Nuance

In the context of a quality conversation, nuance refers to the subtle differences, shades of meaning, implications, or complexities that exist within a topic or a viewpoint. It is the opposite of a simplistic, black-and-white, or absolutist approach. Acknowledging nuance allows a conversation to be deep, accurate, and truly representative of reality. A quality conversation moves beyond sound bites and surface-level agreements/disagreements by engaging with the details. Embracing nuance means recognizing that the world is rarely simple and that a good conversation must respect the finer details and complexities of the issue being discussed.

Quality: Curiosity

In the context of a quality conversation, curiosity is the genuine, active desire to learn, understand, and explore the other person's perspective, knowledge, and underlying motivations. It transforms a conversation from a performance where people wait their turn to speak, into a shared discovery process. Curiosity is demonstrated not just by asking questions, but by how and why those questions are asked.

Quality: Compassion

In the context of a quality conversation, compassion is the ability to recognize and acknowledge the emotional state or suffering of the other person, coupled with a genuine desire to alleviate that distress or respond with helpful kindness. In conversation, compassion ensures that the dialogue is not purely intellectual or transactional, but is also human-centered and supportive. Compassion ensures that the pursuit of truth (Reasoning) and understanding (Curiosity/Nuance) never comes at the expense of the other person's fundamental dignity (Respect) and well-being.

Quality: Non-Toxic

Toxicity is any behavior, language, or underlying attitude that undermines the psychological safety, respect, and productivity of the exchange, making the conversation harmful, destructive, or emotionally damaging.

Ultimately, a quality conversation requires psychological safety, and Toxicity is the primary barrier to that safety.

Users who act in an undesirable fashion may be banned and all their history removed.