Yamil Velez, a political scientist at Columbia University, dives into the intricate world of persuasion and fact-checking. He discusses when fact-checks succeed or backfire, revealing that rudeness is a major turn-off for changing minds. Velez shares insights from experiments with chatbots, showing that people can shift their opinions on hot topics but often cling to their beliefs when faced with incivility. The conversation navigates the ethics of research and the complexities of misinformation, blending humor with serious social issues.
