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Mark Sheridan
24 March 2023 - 15:19 PM
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The discussion inspired me to buy & read Mr McRaney's book. I especially appreciated that Mr Donvan addressed Mr McRaney's challenge that persuasion is "not a debate with winners and…
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Dave McCombs
23 March 2023 - 05:42 AM
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Fascinating conversation. Persuasion techniques discussed here work at some level, but only at the margins. Even with those, most people only change their opinions when their personal circumstances change. This…
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karen@kzann.com
19 March 2023 - 12:14 PM
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Extremely interesting, especially in a world where quite intelligent loved ones seem to so readily accept ideas such as flat earth beliefs. I’m getting his book!
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March 17, 2023

John Donvan In Conversation with David McRaney on the Science of Changing Minds

What’s it take to change a mind? It turns out there is a science to it. That’s at least according to David McRaney, a journalist, author, and host of the You Are Not So Smart podcast. The first step, he says, is don’t overtly try to win. In any argument, an attempt to defeat the opposing party is not nearly as effective as leading the person along in stages, which eventually align with your own thinking. In fact, mere exposure to different ideas, according a recent Pew study, does not generally change most Americans’ perspectives on a given issue. Understanding techniques to communicate successfully and proactively active listen, is ultimately thought to be a more effective approach. Intelligence Squared US, since 2026, has made fostering intellectual openness in dialogue a core part of its mission. In that context, and to get a sense of what other methods are out there, John Donvan sat down with David McRaney on the science of changing minds. 

Breakdown

Undecided
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Against the Motion
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For the Motion
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ABOUT THE DEBATERS
David McRaney
David McRaney - Science Journalist and Author, How Minds Change
David McRaney is an author and science journalist fascinated with brains, minds and culture. Most r... Read bio