So that Homo Naledi thread finally ran its course. Interesting stuff, there was some good material posted to it.
That being said, ultimately no minds we changed (although perhaps some seeds of knowledge were sown). :winkwink:
A lot of research has been done on how people debate (especially online), and it's become clear that sharing facts is the single least most effective way to change people's minds. In fact, the more you present facts, the firmer their opinion becomes.
e.g. research done into varies techniques to change the minds of anti-vaxxers, and which ones were more effective
http://www.medicaldaily.com/vaccines-children-how-do-we-convince-anti-vaxxers-immunizing-their-kids-safe-318334
Or the climate change debate
http://ssir.org/articles/entry/climate_science_as_culture_war
Fundamentally most arguments close to our hearts are not argued on their factual merits, but argued in terms of a culture war.
The more facts you marshal on your side, the less likely the other person is to change their minds, you just get an escalating series of counter-factuals thrown into an increasingly polarised debate.
That being said, ultimately no minds we changed (although perhaps some seeds of knowledge were sown). :winkwink:
A lot of research has been done on how people debate (especially online), and it's become clear that sharing facts is the single least most effective way to change people's minds. In fact, the more you present facts, the firmer their opinion becomes.
e.g. research done into varies techniques to change the minds of anti-vaxxers, and which ones were more effective
http://www.medicaldaily.com/vaccines-children-how-do-we-convince-anti-vaxxers-immunizing-their-kids-safe-318334
Or the climate change debate
http://ssir.org/articles/entry/climate_science_as_culture_war
Fundamentally most arguments close to our hearts are not argued on their factual merits, but argued in terms of a culture war.
The more facts you marshal on your side, the less likely the other person is to change their minds, you just get an escalating series of counter-factuals thrown into an increasingly polarised debate.
