----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronn!Blankenship" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 3:55 PM Subject: Re: Thoughts on gay marriage?
> At 03:43 PM 2/15/04, Erik Reuter wrote: > >On Sun, Feb 15, 2004 at 03:23:57PM -0600, Julia Thompson wrote: > > > > > Yes, but it can be done somewhat more gently than how it was done on > > > this list earlier today. And doing it more gently will get you a more > > > positive reaction than immediately jumping down their throat will. > > > Enough gentle prods will help wear down the prejudices, while sharper > > > ones will just make people more defensive, and maybe *reinforce* the > > > prejudices. > > > >Do you have evidence that this is true? It seems to me that the subtle > >approach often has little effect in changing people's minds, while > >making strong statements can grab someone's attention and get them > >to really think about an issue. I would agree that the approach you > >explain will sometimes be the most effective course, but not always, > >maybe not even usually. > > > I agree with Julia. > > As far as evidence goes: the next time you have a disagreement with your > spouse, try the "strong statement" method. Then, the next time after that, > try the "soft answer" approach. Assuming there is a next time after the > first one, that is . . . A particularly singular experiment would be telling one's spouse that they are acting irrationally, implying of course that you are rational. It is singular because it lowers the chance that there will be another disagreement. ;-) Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
