“I don’t want to talk about politics any more.”  I wish I had a dollar for each time I’ve heard that phrase since November 8.  I don’t blame anyone who’s sick and tired of how ugly the 2016 campaign was.  I’m not tired of politics, but I’m bewildered.  I don’t understand how so many people I know, like and respect could have voted for Trump, and I don’t know what to say to them – so I say nothing.

But, that’s exactly what would-be dictators want.  They WANT silence.  They want us to be sick and tired of the ugliness.  They don’t want us to talk about what they’re doing.  They less we talk about it, the more they can get away with.  They need our despair and our silence.

So we need to talk to each other, even if we’re hearing things we don’t like and passionately disagree with.  But, according to the Scientific American article linked below, it’s more important to listen than to talk.  You are unlikely to convince anyone to change their mind by pointing out to them where they’re wrong.  You have a better chance at convincing them by listening to their thoughts and asking questions that might get them thinking.

Try this and let me know how it works out for you: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-convince-someone-when-facts-fail/