Facts, Opinions, Stories

Facts rarely make anyone change their mind. We know that all too well. This is true not just about political matters but also about every belief that people hold.

 

Why is that? Seth Godin takes a stab at the question. We have consciously or unconsciously built stories around our beliefs, political or otherwise. And that, he says, explains why facts rarely convince anyone:

“Because a good story feels true. A good story resonates.”

So he says:

“If I bring facts to rebut your story, they will fail.”

 

Is there no hope then? Godin says one can succeed:

“(If) the facts I bring are the foundation for a new story.”

Therefore, he says:

“Part of the job of making change is working to make sure a bad story doesn’t get in the way of good facts.”

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