Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2025

Abstract

This short essay uses satire to spotlight the entrenched, misleading terminology widely used in the dispute resolution field, especially in legal and academic settings. Drawing on metaphors of humanoids, bots, and malware, it critiques outdated jargon like “facilitative” and “evaluative” mediation and proposes clearer alternatives derived from Real Practice Systems theory. It describes efforts to train an AI tool, the RPS Negotiation and Mediation Coach, to model improved language use and nudge human users toward better decision-making. Though light in tone, it reflects a serious commitment to reforming the way we talk about and practice negotiation and mediation.

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