Often we dig our own grave making people “defend” their opinion. Instead of winning them over, we push them to become more and more entrenched in their opinion as they build larger mental defenses against the challenges we present. So I want to hear from you:

How do you avoid putting people on the defensive? (Even though those people had a strong alternative opinion)

What was a time where the opposite happened; all the facts were there, but absolutely no one was convinced by the talk?

I feel like solarpunk has a lot of obvious-once-seen ideas and powerful “ahh-ha” moments. But if we can’t convince others to take a glimpse from our perspective, not much benefit will come from it.

  • Have you heard of reactance Theory?

    It basically states that people will react to a something they perceive as a challenge of something they identify with, or perceive as a loss of freedom, with reactivity and defensiveness.

    Rather than explaining your point of view, you approach and ask their opinions with curiosity. Listen openly.

    • @chicken@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      12 months ago

      I think something that works pretty well related to this is, find something at the core of how they feel about things that you actually agree with, and compliment them on being right about that. Then talk about what you think the implications of that thing are.