February 21, 2025 by
The Department of English
In his book What I Mean to Say: Remaking Conversation in Our Time, University of Toronto English professor Ian Williams argues that polarized politics and online echo chambers are devaluing how we speak – and listen – to each other.
Speaking with U of T Magazine, he reflects on the importance of conversation to the human spirit, the challenge of listening in a distracted world and the role universities can play in elevating the tone of debate.