How To Win Arguments Against “Smart” People

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It seems to be harder than ever to get through to people logically.

In fact, some of the smartest people have the most sophisticated psychological booby traps when it comes to heated subjects. So in this video, we're going to break down why sometimes people won’t listen to reason even when they’re smart, and what techniques you can use to finally get through to someone who can’t listen to reason.

Our video on Steven Crowder:

Our video on Trevor Noah

⏰TIMESTAMPS⏰ 

0:00 - Intro.
2:12 - #1: Being stunned by new information.
3:01 - #2: Inaccurately summarizing the other's perspective.
4:01 - #3: Misreading nefarious intent.
4:41 - #4: Regularly moving goalposts.
5:35 - #5: Yelling or getting angry.
6:12 - #6: Attacking someone's character.
6:34 - #7: Retreating Without Concession
8:05 - 3 Key Mindsets To Change Their Mind
9:05 - The Most Dangerous Cognitive Dissonance

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[HaiderAliKhan]

To completely disagree with someone, and yet engage with them with respect, grace and honesty, is a superpower.

[superduper]

"It’s eaier to fool a person than it is to convince a person that they have been fooled”, Mark Twain

[paulholloway]

I carry a small packet of mints wherever I go, they're cheap and they don't melt in your pocket and they don't go off easily. When a discussion looks like it's starting to become heated, I whip out the mints, put one in my mouth and offer the other person one. Sharing food is primal and quickly defuses the other person's flight or fight mechanism and immediately reminds them that I'm not their enemy and we're just having a discussion. It's the quickest way I know to defuse a tense situation.

[robbeam]

Best advise I ever got for having a discussion was that if I I find myself not truly listening but waiting for my turn to speak. I'm not discussing I'm trying to score points. Best to stop and start over.

[areenhashemi]

It’s *hard* to win an argument against a smart person but it’s *impossible* to win an argument against an ignorant person

[ronniebasak]

This video, ironically, was the one that finally made me quit smoking. Even though it took a lot of failure and another 6 months of misery, I've been clean since April 15, 2021

[celestialnubian]

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason ... is like administering medicine to the dead.
-Thomas Paine

[xWabbli]

I need to learn this. Usually, when I am getting triggered by something, cognitive dissonance occurs. I start to get angry and can’t really listen anymore when I feel attacked. Thank you for the video. I really hope that I’m able to work on it and overcome it.

[aaronseet]

In my experience, it usually just boils down to ego; people absolutely hate to be wrong, and will go at lengths to avoid being seen as the "loser".

[YouTube_u]

"Never argue with a fool - They will drag you down to their level, Then beat you with experience" is this how they say it?

[Sandeep-jewc]

The three key mindsets to change someone’s mind who won’t listen:

Be curious: Instead of trying to prove your point or convince them of your view, try to understand why they think the way they do and what are their underlying assumptions or values. Ask open-ended questions and listen actively to their answers.

Be respectful: Instead of judging or criticizing them for their beliefs or opinions, try to acknowledge their perspective and find some common ground or shared interests. Show them that you respect them as a person and that you are willing to learn from them.

Be humble: Instead of acting like you know everything or that you have the final word on the topic, try to admit your own limitations or uncertainties and express your willingness to revise your views if presented with new information or evidence. Show them that you are open-minded and flexible.

[edd]

This is, , , , a lot of work. I'd rather not get into arguments with someone who won't listen, that's utterly exhausting. Especially when you throw in mental health matters, gaslighting and stubborn illogical narcissists.

[kimdk]

Imagine a world where politicians and people try to solve problems, instead of trying to feed their own ideology.

[razerfangegaming]

Arguing with someone whom has renounced the use of reason is like trying to administer medicine to the dead. ~Thomas Paine

[LJHibt]

The big problem is knowing a particular subject quite well and arguing with someone you love who knows just enough to develop a misinformed position, but defend that position to the point of anger and the informed person just backs down because correction would not be taken well.

[ronaldsmith]

I liked this video. No one wins an argument. Everyone wins in an exchange of ideas called a conversation.

[belsayshootingground]

That moment when Cathy realised she was contradicting herself was amazing, but what was more amazing was that she admitted it 🙈

[SpaceBrotha]

"You are trying to win instead of learn" is probably the most powerful bit here, to me.
I've always loved debating, because it accomplishes many things at once:
- It allows me to learn about the subject matter, because nothing drives me to verify my claims like an argument.
- It allows me to learn about the person I'm arguing with, because I'm literally butting heads with that person about something they feel strongly about.
- It allows me to learn about myself, because I'm throwing my mind against someone elses and in the process they can change my mind or expose me to new information or perspective.

The fact that so many are so hinged on "winning" or even worse, "making the other person lose" is always depressing because it just... shoves the entire subject off the table, and then it's just about personal attacks.

[valdimer]

I'll make this simple. You can't reason someone out of a position they never reasoned themselves into.

[demetriuscooksey]

I gave up on arguing a long time ago. You have to give a crap what the other person thinks, and you have to believe the other person actually cares what you think.