Great piece! I’m with you on just about everything.
Minds can be changed, though. Not instantly through debate, but by planting little seeds. It only works when identity isn’t fused to a position that likely wasn’t formed on facts and logical reasoning. I know this from the personal experience of remembering something someone said, maybe months or years later, and changing my mind, even though I’d been unaware that a seed had been germinating. But that’s just an anecdote - I agree that the goal should be empowerment, not winning a debate.
Persuasion is a longer term process. Ask any propagandist working for an authoritarian state or religion.
Adults do not change their minds about anything quickly especially if their identity is made up of the things that they believe. In this case changing their minds is disruptive and can be painfully transformational.
A wry observation is when this happens, these are the moments of epiphany they share with their friends like they just discovered fire. It wasn't that the truth wasn't available. They just couldn't absorb it because their old views were attached to their identity and ego.
Now the challenge is when people need to change their minds quickly to survive and they don't see the existential threat.
Very interesting piece! Once thing I would add is that it behooves political coalitions to spend some time writing with empathy and respect for the low-information voter. There are a lot of people out there who feel like they should vote but just struggle to understand what is going on. The courage piece you speak of here is important for coalition formation and cohesion, but most people are more consumers of coalitions than members. They pick one off the shelf based on inflation, the economy, etc. I don't know how these voters are best reached but someone needs to figure it out!
@Daniel Muñoz
@Edward Campbell
@Mike Brock
@Julie Roginsky
@Behind the Narrative 📣
I am inspired.
Great piece! I’m with you on just about everything.
Minds can be changed, though. Not instantly through debate, but by planting little seeds. It only works when identity isn’t fused to a position that likely wasn’t formed on facts and logical reasoning. I know this from the personal experience of remembering something someone said, maybe months or years later, and changing my mind, even though I’d been unaware that a seed had been germinating. But that’s just an anecdote - I agree that the goal should be empowerment, not winning a debate.
Persuasion is a longer term process. Ask any propagandist working for an authoritarian state or religion.
Adults do not change their minds about anything quickly especially if their identity is made up of the things that they believe. In this case changing their minds is disruptive and can be painfully transformational.
A wry observation is when this happens, these are the moments of epiphany they share with their friends like they just discovered fire. It wasn't that the truth wasn't available. They just couldn't absorb it because their old views were attached to their identity and ego.
Now the challenge is when people need to change their minds quickly to survive and they don't see the existential threat.
Very interesting piece! Once thing I would add is that it behooves political coalitions to spend some time writing with empathy and respect for the low-information voter. There are a lot of people out there who feel like they should vote but just struggle to understand what is going on. The courage piece you speak of here is important for coalition formation and cohesion, but most people are more consumers of coalitions than members. They pick one off the shelf based on inflation, the economy, etc. I don't know how these voters are best reached but someone needs to figure it out!
I probably have more regard for low info voters than entrenched politicos at this point.