James Hogan in his book “I’m right and you are an idiot” (2016) argues that discussions rarely change opinions.
Facts do not change minds, emotions do.
Identity and values determine opinions and votes; facts and self-interest are secondary.
People resist being changed. Facts feel pushy.
Admitting a mistake is embarrassing. Persisting feels better.
Criticism of an opinion feels as a criticism of identity.
Blind spots allow to maintain pride and prejudice.
We select evidence confirming what we believe and we dismiss contrary data.
Suggestions for constructive discussions:
Acknowledge agreement where possible.
Focus on feelings and concerns, not on facts
Frame issues in terms of values. Present facts as support, not as argument.
Do not debate facts. Facts rarely resolve a dispute; common values might.
Tell stories your audience can identify with.
Fake news and social media do not encourage constructive discussions. The more people argue, the more they tend to hold on to their position. Both sides remain trapped in a gridlock of opinions. Online forums attract people who are cocksure of their simple opinions. They do not want to hear what others think. Starting a discussion without firm notions is perceived as arrogant. Changing one's opinion is seen as a weakness and a lack of loyalty. Moreover, nuanced opinions take time to formulate and time to read. People are too busy for that.
Social media and talk shows thrive on conflict and simple statements. That gives Republicans an advantage. They frame issues in terms of family values and emotions which attracts people who are not interested in a discussion. Presenting two sides to an issue and seeking common ground is perceived as arrogant. It does not attract viewers. Polarization is more exciting. Trump is a master in exploiting polarization. He thrives on conflict. Trump and social media are a perfect fit.
Why do I still like to express my opinion online?
Civic duty . Debate is a cornerstone of democracy.
Asserting my identity.
No ulterior motive. I like to write and am hard of hearing.
The comment section of opinions in the NYT is a good public forum. The comments are often more interesting than the article. But nly 1% of Americans subscribes to the NYT while 40% looks at Fox News.