The Next Big Idea Daily Arguing About Politics Never Works. This Does.
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Aug 7, 2025 Sarah Stein Lubrano, a writer, political theorist, and author of "Don't Talk About Politics," unveils a radical idea: changing beliefs isn't about arguments, but experiences and community. She discusses the psychological barriers that thwart belief change and stresses the power of small, actionable steps. The conversation dives into the fragility of modern activism, emphasizing deeper relationships over online connections, and highlights how local initiatives can foster community engagement, ultimately transforming political views.
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Arguments Don’t Change Minds
- Arguments and presenting facts do not effectively change people's political beliefs.
- People respond to political issues with cognitive dissonance, often doubling down on existing beliefs to feel comfortable.
Actions Change Beliefs
- People tend to change their beliefs to fit their lived experiences and actions.
- Small actions can lead to bigger political engagement and aligned beliefs over time.
Use Small Actions as Gateways
- To shift people’s political views, encourage them to take small gateway actions first.
- Small acts increase interest and lead to belief changes, more so than arguments or stories.
