Don't ask why
Hello Smarties!
Here is your tip for the week PLUS two inspiring quotes and three curious questions to ask yourself and others.
1 Smart Tip
To increase your political influence:
When you’re talking with someone who disagrees with you, don’t ask them “why” they disagree. Asking why encourages rationalization and reinforces pre-existing beliefs. Instead, ask them “how.” For example, “How would lowering corporate taxes help ordinary Americans?” Or, “How do you know we can’t afford to cut emissions?” Research shows asking how can pierce the Illusion of Explanatory Depth, a cognitive bias that makes us think we understand more about the world than we actually do, and may lead people to become more moderate in their political attitudes.
2 Smart Quotes
“People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others.”
— Blaise Pascal
“A single question can be more influential than a thousand statements.”
— Bo Bennet
3 Smart Questions
To ask yourself and others:
What do you think is the best thing Biden has done so far and what do you wish he’d done differently?
What Democrat do you respect the most and why?
What’s more important: Convincing others you are right or changing the world?
Until next week,