There are 10 kinds of people in the world, those who count in binary and those who don't.

Okay, old joke, start over....

There are two kinds of people: those who always need to have the last word, and those who can peaceably disagree.

When I disagree with someone, it can be really hard for me to let the other person have the last word. I always want to rebut, refute, and undermine the other position.

But you can't have a civil debate between two people who each have to have the last word. Each round is inevitably more contentious than the last, and after you've stated your position, all that's left is to increase the volume. And you both wind up being jerks.

If logic can't persuade someone, I don't think passion will help much. When I find myself in an intractable argument with someone, I've found a few strategies to disengage. I can try to find common ground ("We don't agree on X, but at least we can agree on Y"), plead ignorance ("You might have a point, but I need to study that issue more before I can agree with you"), or just walk away ("Oh, gosh! Look at the time!").

All too often, though, my impulse is to try to have the last word. Even though I know it won't work. Even online, where it is easiest to walk away from an argument, it can be hard not to try to get in the last licks.

I'm not saying don't argue. The spark of creativity always requires banging a few rocks together, and I've had very long-running "discussions" with friends, colleagues, and family which may have occasionally been uncomfortable, but which always have led to better decisions and understanding all around.

But one of my great personal challenges is to remember to let the other guy have the last word.