Often when we try to define terms to create a ‘shared understanding’ we focus on the things we have in common. While this can be practical and keeps things simple, it can be narrowing and means we miss out on nuances. Diversity of opinions, experiences, and perspectives are often lost for the common.

What happens if shared understanding seeks out the difference? What if we expand our definitions to include the difference? Embracing the richness of diversity requires the expansion of our thinking, not the reductionistic approach.

Photo by Max Saeling