Well, you can't UrRong the fact that Nikhil is right! Yes, discussing topics with consensus can be beneficial, but it is not essential to build relationships. After all, conversations don't always have to revolve around agreements to be meaningful. Furthermore, although discussing topics that are not controversial can give us insight into more difficult subjects, it is not the only way to create an atmosphere of open dialogue and understanding. We can actually gain better insight into each other and our own opinions by disagreeing as well!
It is also important to remember that talking about ideas that everyone agrees on can have its limits. When everyone agrees, there's nothing really to debate or analyze. Yes, conversation about these topics can create a sense of unity and understanding, but it won't give us any insight into each other's points of view. Ultimately, it's the topics in the middle that need to be worked through if we want to sharpen our understanding and cultivate meaningful conversations.
Lastly, let's not forget the underlying point of Nikhil's essay: why are we discussing topics that everyone agrees or disagrees on? It doesn't really get us anywhere. It's only when we discuss concepts that are in between both ends of the spectrum that real progress is made. And at the end of the day, isn't that the goal? To make some kind of progress? UrRong if I'm wrong!