Comments on: Persuasion

By: shrinkrapped

shrinkrapped — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 21:43:01 +0000

In reply to hbksloss. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Heidi. There is so much out there, it's hard to know what to read and easier to just tune out completely. Though I am among the many who are mainlining political news/podcasts/fivethirtyeight probability ratings. Wonder what November 9 will bring.

By: shrinkrapped

shrinkrapped — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 21:40:30 +0000

In reply to Cynthia ROVERO. Thanks for chiming in, Cynthia!

By: Cynthia ROVERO

Cynthia ROVERO — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 22:07:45 +0000

In reply to shrinkrapped. This election really pushed me to research the pros and cons of who to vote for and vote I did. I listened to people who are feeling disengaged from the U.S. They probably are having a hard time seeing a bright future for the generations ahead. It is important to vote with a well researched backround. I have to say in past elections where I did little research and went for the popular vote I felt fine about my decision. This time I chose the not so popular or are both not so popular? Seems even though I researched a lot feeling good about my choice is not like I would like it to feel

By: hbksloss

hbksloss — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 06:40:56 +0000

I think a lot of people have presidential politics overload right now, partly because the process has been going on for so long and partly because Trump and his campaign has lowered the bar so much, most thinking people are over and done. Personally most of the women I know are so anxious about this election that any social media articles feel stressful. But sharing thoughtful political commentary is still important. And there are tons of interesting articles on the process. And it is every citizen’s responsibility to keep informed (that is over of the main reasons for a constitutional protection of the press. So while since people find it hard to listen to thoughtful commentary, for others it is a way to become better educated on what is going on. And of course my bias is that many anti Hillary comments are really sexism in disguise….

By: shrinkrapped

shrinkrapped — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:46:28 +0000

In reply to wendyj59. Very sound policy, Wendy. When I think of all that people have gone through and are still going through to be able to vote, it pains me when people think it's too much trouble, doesn't pertain to them, or that it doesn't matter.

By: shrinkrapped

shrinkrapped — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:44:56 +0000

In reply to Ann. I appreciate your thoughtful comment, Ann. Listening and drawing out are definitely the way to go rather than imposing one's own opinion. I am doing this while phone banking. I personally don't know anyone who is voting for Trump (or who will admit to it), but I do know of people, especially young people, who supported Bernie and are thinking of either not voting or voting third party. At this point Donald Trump seems like the best persuader, but one never knows. Besides which, if we don't retake at least one chamber of Congress, we can pretty much expect to get more of the same gridlock and obstructionism, which is a finer point that a lot of people seem to miss.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 17:14:22 +0000

I’m finding that the most productive tack has been to be really curious as to how the person is thinking — to ask questions, rather than to try and persuade, to find out what the appeal is for them of someone like Trump, and to ask what they don’t like, if anything. In other words, rather than try to “tell” them what I think, to make room for them. This approach, although often depressing, is, on the whole, a bit less frustrating for me.

In the end, if trust is established that their views will be respected, then they often will say something like, “Well, he is a bit unhinged”. Overall, the appeal of Trump seems to be wanting someone to shake things up, causing what many imagine will be a kind of “reset” of a system they see as entirely corrupt.

The next question would be to explore what that reset might actually look like in everyday terms. I haven’t gotten to this point yet, and I don’t know if it would change anyone’s mind, but this approach generally has resulted in my learning a lot about the other side, and it does at least not push them into a more rigid position than they already held. My fantasy is that it leaves them a bit inclined to “think” about the views they hold and the evidence upon which it is based.

By: wendyj59

wendyj59 — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 08:54:07 +0000

It’s a tricky one, getting the balance right between trying to advise and guide your kids and being a nag. We try and lead by example and be open to questions. My only advice I nag about to my kids is that you have to vote. You can’t expect to complain about any political decisions if you’re not a voter.