Persuasion

Is it better to be technically correct? Or is it better to be heard and understood?

What is the point of entering into a debate in the first place, if not to persuade the other person?

And if the point is to persuade, why is the majority of modern discourse consist of people talking past each other? Repeating tired old arguments and reflexive responses like two amateur chess players that memorized the same strategy book.

Modern discourse does not seek to understand, connect, identify, or resonate with the other person, simply to "win" in the eyes of some nonexistent judge, and gain the approval of the already convinced on social media.

The Importance of Persuasion

The debate of science versus superstition and misinformation is one of the most important debates in human history. It is of the utmost importance that enough people are convinced of this before nuclear war, climate change, or some other existential global calamity is caused by humanity's inability to come together as one.

Strategies for Political and Theological Persuasion

When dealing with core identity topics like politics and religion, a number of strategies should be employed to avoid emotional and reflexive reactions instead of considered attention to evidence and reasoning.

Focus on Common Goals

Behind every opinion is a goal, some objective the person is trying to achieve that they think will be better served if we do whatever they are saying. But what is that goal? it is often unstated and assumed. By focusing attention on the goal, you usually end up establishing common ground, because we are all humans and we all share the same goal of increasing happiness and quality of life. If you trace each intermediate goal back to its original purpose, all roads lead to this one true goal shared by all of humanity. Now you are part of the in-group and you are having a totally different conversation.