Making deals, settling argument, agreeing to hear another viewpoint, adapting to an alternative, choosing not to challenge others instinctively – these are accommodation. Adjustment is the essence of the profitable arrangement. By contrast history tells me that hardened policy most often attracts only further alienation and intransigence.

My personal experience of accommodation is that it, like most deductions, must begin with a premise one is willing to see included in the conclusion. If that appears to be a tactical gambit at the outset – well, I guess it is. But that illustrates my point; viz., we must learn to start at the beginning of accommodation, not at the end of disagreement. Otherwise it amounts to chasing one another around the table. As much as we may kindle the outcome otherwise, it is unquestionable that whatever we characterize from the start as an objective will insinuate (and perhaps contaminate) the whole. And that means finding the appropriate talking point from which to start. This need not be difficult. Simple is good. Stating the obvious is not an oversight. As a strategy of debate – whether on the floor of a prep school forum, in a courtroom before a judge or addressing Members Opposite on the legislature floor – the success of one’s communication begins with a candid statement of the conclusion. From there we give reasons (the Major Premise and the Minor Premise), then augment them with supporting fact; and finally follow with a repeat of the conclusion (perhaps too an alternative). Making one’s position clear is the primary purpose of the scheme.

The quip, “You can’t get there from here!” is not entirely laughable when applied to certain reasoning.  Initially the objective may be clouded by ambiguity or delay. These uncertain obstacles colour tumultuous review of the matter. Clarity is the neutral bias. This may necessitate shaking down the sediment and allowing things to settle themselves. Patience is a useful additive to the interchange.

The preponderance of the legitimacy of accommodation is its ineluctable reality. To imagine that we shall always get our own way is both preposterous and misleading. Recognizing this practical limitation strengthens and expedites the engagement. While a contrary approach may give the evanescence of success, it is likely to be diluted in time. The Universe is neither impartial nor invariable.

Should you care to know, the unremarkable background to today’s monologue is my negotiation with my niece, with Apple and with General Motors. None of these expands the moderation of the encounters but they capture the mundane yet unabashedly inspirational state of my personal affairs. My niece is important to me because I am her godfather.  I have never bothered to investigate the arcane or nefarious details surrounding the alignment but it has always resonated with me poetically.  The practical emanation is to be on record for having involved myself in her sphere. She is an artist – a professional photographer – something to which I attach considerable significance.

As for my transaction with Apple, well, I am simply driven by a hopeless addiction to popular technology. Parenthetically may I add that today’s exploit confirms the modern evolution from in-person meeting to on-line delivery – an “accommodation” I would never have thought possible. There is no denying the closure of department stores such as Eaton, Sears and Hudson’s Bay Company. The giants have fallen. But back to Apple, never have I been disappointed for having enlarged the scope of current technology. I have also learned that distancing oneself from technology is an unproductive ambition serving as a small complement to profligacy.

Finally – and here I shall no doubt lapse into the vernacular – General Motors.  Let me begin by asking rhetorically, “How could this possibly be better?” GM in spite of its fundamental motivational background of human strength, wood-fired promotion and finally mechanical precision has now shifted to the exotic realm of almost pure technology – cars without engines, 1-foot pedal and Super Cruise. Staying au courant in this orbit is a daily challenge. I soothe the indulgence by observing that I, like my late father, am hopelessly enamoured of the passenger automobile. Having graduated this affection to the modern EV is but a fortuitous step in the passage of history across the pond to the other side.