Exactly, you can’t convince people with strongly held beliefs just by arguing with them, no matter how solid your evidence or how strong your argument is. People with strong views already have their own arguments and justifications.

I like to look at it from thermodynamics perspective. Ideas are part of a complex web of concepts that form our mental model of the world. Challenging a core idea requires rethinking all the other concepts tied to it. Doing so takes a lot of mental energy, and it’s much easier to simply reject the new idea that doesn’t fit. People will remain hostile to outside ideas as long as they don’t see a need to rethink their worldview.

Hence, as you noted, it’s more effective to focus on those who are already questioning their beliefs. These individuals are starting to recognize that their current model doesn’t align with their observations of the world. They’re already searching for alternative explanations, and if you can present a new idea that helps them make better sense of the world, they are much more likely to be receptive. They’ll be willing to put in the effort to restructure their mental model to integrate new ideas that resonate with them.

The goal isn’t to “win” an argument, but to build a bridge. By framing things in a way that resonates, you can find common ground and open a space for a more meaningful conversation where new ideas can be introduced more gently. It’s about planting a seed of an idea and letting it grow, rather than trying to force a full-grown tree into a hostile environment.

cc @WilliamA@lemmygrad.ml