A review by elly29
How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable, pragmatic, and informative listen. I thought the points were well-made and well-supported. And, this is in line with learnings gleaned from Jonathan Haidt's "The Righteous Mind."
Key learnings:
The only way to change a mind is through the heart; facts don't do it, and even once a mind is changed only rarely will a person realize that they didn't always think that way.
We are more likely to be open to changing our minds if we don't feel under threat or judged. One must be willing to say that they are wrong, and that becomes harder to do when their reputation, livelihood, or place in the community is at stake.
Debates are dangerous — it is a zero-sum game. Instead of asking who is right, “we should ask ourselves why we see things differently. This creates a collaborative environment.” Then, both sides work together to find out where their differences come from. Collaboration begets trust.
Key learnings:
The only way to change a mind is through the heart; facts don't do it, and even once a mind is changed only rarely will a person realize that they didn't always think that way.
We are more likely to be open to changing our minds if we don't feel under threat or judged. One must be willing to say that they are wrong, and that becomes harder to do when their reputation, livelihood, or place in the community is at stake.
Debates are dangerous — it is a zero-sum game. Instead of asking who is right, “we should ask ourselves why we see things differently. This creates a collaborative environment.” Then, both sides work together to find out where their differences come from. Collaboration begets trust.