We have been reading for some time that the Nixon Administration has abandoned its "low profile" approach in favor of harsh rhetoric that divides us into "polarized" camps, with Attorney General Mitchell and Vice-President Agnew singled out as the principal culprits. As this is written, it is too early to tell if the President's, attempt to overcome the reaction to his Cambodian decision is the beginning of a long-term restoration of a "cooler" approach or is merely an interlude between Agnewisms. In any case, the President's original words about the necessity to listen to each other struck a happy note, and it is equally the case that productive exchanges of views seem most difficult to achieve in this society. Why?