There are real reasons why this is hard to do. One reason is that we're not very good at it. There's a massive amount of identity defense going on. People listening to comedy podcasts can't wait for their podcast to end so they can tell that guy in front of them on the bus about it, even if he is the driver. And people listening to true crime podcasts don't want to seem weird to their office crush because they already got odd looks when they looked up cases on their work computer.
Here’s a special bonus episode featuring my recent conversation with Tim Harford, author, economic journalist, and host of the Cautionary Tales podcast. We discussed a story from my new book, How Minds Change, about a conspiracy theorist who was certain 9/11 was an inside job until he actually visited Ground Zero to meet architects, engineers and the relatives of the dead. Tim and I reflect on what he can teach us about those who hold strong beliefs even in the face of damning, contrary evidence and why persuasion, especially if attempted poorly, isn't always the right answer.
• Hear more from Cautionary Tales at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/ctsmart
• How Minds Change: https://www.davidmcraney.com/howmindschangehome