06/02/2026
PSA of the Day, but first a few definitions:.
- "Disagreement" (n.) "a lack of consensus or approval".
- "Argument" (n.)"an exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one" or "a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong" (it's this second definition that we'll focus upon).
- "Argue" (v.) "give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view" or to "exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way" (it's also the second definition of the verb that we'll focus upon).
- "Fight" (n.) "a violent confrontation or struggle"; (v.) "taking part in a violent struggle involving the exchange of physical blows or the use of weapons".
[Bad pun warning:] While one could argue that an "argument" is nothing more than a "disagreement" one would be wrong. I could prove this by painstakingly going through the key steps of the "argumentation process" (e.g. "signal, state, support and summarize", or, if you prefer, then "claim, state, support, prove", or "summarize, claim, present evidence, refute, evaluate", etcetera) but these PSA's are wordy enough so I'll simply state that while most every argument stems from some difference of opinion (i.e. a "disagreement") due to the inclusion of adverse emotions and actions "arguments" differ from "disagreements". (Note that with most arguments actions are typically limited to uttering words, as if it goes beyond words and becomes physical then the "argument" is "fight").
When we "disagree" we simple diverge on some point but when we "argue" about the same point negative emotion and behavior (e.g. accusations, defensiveness, blame, anger, tears, alienation, threats, ultimatums, etc.) tend to surface. Although not every argument necessarily involves antagonism, lack of respect and tolerance by one for another's point of view distinguishes a disagreement from an argument. Apropos of this PSA and with particular regard to a "Miami argument", the difference between an "argument" and a "fight" is that in the latter (a fight) there's a coupling of words with some form of physicality, usually involving some act of violence; but there's another difference, and to explain it I'll enlist the help of my old pal Niccolò Machiavelli.
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (better known as "Machiavelli") was an Italian diplomat, author, philosopher and historian who lived during The Renaissance. Often referred to as "the father of modern political philosophy and political science" he's best known for his political treatise "The Prince" (which was written in 1513 but wasn't published until 1532). "The Prince" remains significant and famous today as a broad spectrum educational platform for world rulers to learn how to govern, including ideals which leaders must possess in order to be successful, perhaps the most famous (infamous?) of which is the idea that "the ends justify the means”. (Aside alert: While Machiavelli never penned those precise words the alleged quote is extrapolated from far more complex language contained in "The Prince", particularly the idea espoused by Machiavelli that virtually any action or behavior taken by a leader is acceptable provided that it results in the leader's desired outcome).
I brought Machiavelli into this because "the end" which one seeks is the second distinguishing characteristic between an argument and a fight (stated more simply: "One argues to achieve agreement whereas one fights to win.") but to further illustrate this point I'll also employ a quote from Sean Connery's character Jim Malone from "The Untouchables", to wit: "They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. THAT’S the Chicago way! And that’s how you get Capone." (feel free to watch the clip @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjOPLTTjnwc ).
Tying it all together, again apropos of this PSA and with particular regard to the "Miami argument", the MEME below is cute but far from accurate as here in The 305 while yelling and violent hand waives are predictable (as is name-calling, allegations of allegiance to the Castro Regime, "Che" Guevara, etcetera) rarely does such a confrontation end in the parties sharing a "Cafecito". It's far more common for one Miamian or the other to produce a weapon (usually a firearm or machete) in an effort to "end" the beef, and to do so with prejudice (e.g. to make Machiavelli proud by "winning" via whatever means are necessary). It's for this reason that we see all too many "Barroom Brawls", "Fisticuffs", more than our fair share of incidents of "Road Rage", boundless escalations of "normal" domestic disagreements into acts of Domestic Violence, and so on, ad nauseum.
Earlier on I stated that it's a "lack of respect and tolerance by one for another's point of view distinguishes a disagreement from an argument" but the same statement can be made with regard to differentiating arguments from fights.
I'm old enough to remember when folks could agree to disagree about damn near anything (including politics), where families could enjoy meals, holidays, events or special occasions together not withstanding stark contrasts in opinion on any of a variety of subjects (again including politics) and where friends could remain friends not withstanding polarized positions on significant matters; sadly those days seem to have vanished in favor of an "it's my way or the highway" (best case) or "if you don't share my view then I must destroy / cancel / kill you" (worst case) scenario.
One can only hope that at some point society's "devolution" from reason and rationality will revert back to one that's full of common sense, courtesy and tolerance, but in order for that to happen we must all recognize that no matter how passionately we may feel about "X", discussion is more productive than argument, and argument is far more civilized than fighting. Until then s**t will continue to happen and will continue to offer suggestions to reduce the odds of that s**t happening to you, for example:
- Mind-altering substances do just that (i.e. they alter the mind) and "good" things almost never come from being banged up in public; so if you've had one too many or if the interaction of alcohol and controlled substances goes south then get home safely and stat.
- If you're asked to leave a place (any place, any time and for any reason) then just leave as a disagreement can't become either an argument or a fight if you're gone.
- Regardless of the "why" of it and whether you're "right or wrong", if you find yourself in a disagreement, much less an argument with anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances then take the high (and safe) road and just walk away.
- If you're threated and have a weapon but there's a safe means of escape then opt to G**O rather than SYG (i.e. choose to safely flee rather than to fight).
- Know that "you are you but everyone else is someone too" (take that Dr. Seuss...), so what's patently "right" to you may not jibe with another's though process. If we're to coexist in a civilized, humane fashion then we must each acknowledge that the rights of others don't end where our own begin (and vise verse), that we're capable of disagreeing without arguing, of arguing without fighting and in any event if we choose then we can always sit down together and enjoy a "Cafecito".
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