4 ms·
Perhaps an obvious insight: the author found considerably more success by attaching his idea to something that was mutually agreed upon. Even a mountain of data
by srj 8y ago
Perhaps an obvious insight: the author found considerably more success by attaching his idea to something that was mutually agreed upon. Even a mountain of data was fruitless when posed in a confrontational manner.
I imagine this is broadly applicable anytime you are trying to win someone over on an idea. I've noticed that for politically charged ideas it's difficult to make progress because people attach their identity to their opinion. But maybe this is just broadly the case, just more noticeable with politics where opinions are strongly held. In any case as the author noticed it's difficult to make any progress without rooting it in something other people already believe.
- AnimalMuppet 8y agoI think this is what's wrong with political communication today. Neither side will start talking from where their opponents are; both start where their supporters are, and therefore talk only to their supporters.
- catach 8y agoA large part of that seems to be due to the assumption that the competition is irredeemable and malicious rather than simply mistaken.
- reitanqild 8y agoOr even simpler: the assumption that I/we are right (we aren't always). For one it isn't true: I've read my fair share of vistory. I'm provably smart, and yet one of the things I'm most happy with when it comes to my time on HN is my ability to recognize when I'm wromg and change my opinion. Also I think it makes me more interesting to discuss with. PS: not saying anyone should belive people at work who honestly believe in chemtrails.
- pjc50 8y agoPart of the intent of the "culture war" is to destroy that shared ground. Everything, no matter how obvious, can be made contentious.