Midpack
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I was going to do a poll, but I changed my mind - very few could be objective answering. I contend it’s rare for anyone, more so the older we get, to completely change their mind on a substantial issue as a result of what they’ve read on a forum. I’ve asked before, and we all want to appear open minded so we say yes, I can change my mind. But invariably the examples given are trivial or on topics where we have no point of view going in - so it’s not changing your mind. I wonder because there are so many topics rehashed over and over, with no resolution and essentially no one changing their established views one iota. These days where so many feel entitled to their own “facts” or selective facts it’s only gotten worse.
I found a couple academic studies that suggest only about 10% of people can actually change their minds on anything substantial (e.g. climate change, political issues, tipping) - though most aren’t likely to acknowledge the change - they just go quiet for a while. And it usually takes years, and convincing by friends and family, not an anonymous stranger online.
And 90% of people will not change no matter what they’re presented with or how flimsy their position is - don’t bother me with the facts, my mind is made up. That’s also why Mark Twain said “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” I need to learn to ignore those topics altogether, or more likely one post and move on...
I found a couple academic studies that suggest only about 10% of people can actually change their minds on anything substantial (e.g. climate change, political issues, tipping) - though most aren’t likely to acknowledge the change - they just go quiet for a while. And it usually takes years, and convincing by friends and family, not an anonymous stranger online.
And 90% of people will not change no matter what they’re presented with or how flimsy their position is - don’t bother me with the facts, my mind is made up. That’s also why Mark Twain said “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” I need to learn to ignore those topics altogether, or more likely one post and move on...
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