A rhetorical trick to connect with someone on a controversial topic.

First, stake out the two extremes on the spectrum that everyone can agree are unreasonable.

Then say, "we agree on that."

Now the question is where in that range is the right balance point.

"I think X, I imagine you think Y. But these are not actually that far apart. Reasonable people can disagree!"

With this move, instead of the two of you being on different sides of the issue, you're now on the same side: the side of reasonableness… and the only disagreement is a small one on matter of degree.

By default in charged and chaotic environments, people see the other side as a negative caricature of what it actually is.

This move can help negate some of that over-the-top caricaturization of one another.