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> they understand, from centuries of experience, that provoking strong emotional responses is one of the most reliable ways to get people to change their behavior

this is easily defeated by teaching everyone a sprinkle of meditation (it has been quite shocking to me the extent to which I'd have an emotional reaction -> rationalized argument -> action, even over things like, slack messages from coworkers/my manager. I used to think it was always rational thought -> action. But noticing this makes it very easy to alter the pattern)

now I want to see a response article: "Meditation will save democracy"




Following "easily defeated" with "teaching everyone" gave me an audible chuckle.


> emotional reaction -> rationalized argument -> action

This reminds me of a trap that I myself am mindful to avoid, and to be gracious of when done by others - motivated reasoning.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivated_reasoning

Ironically/paradoxically, a graceless or haughty (over)correction can undermine our own efforts to correct this in ourselves and especially in others, so I would agree that meditation and general mindfulness practice as well as empathy are helpful in understanding and empowering us to overcome these hurdles in interpersonal dynamics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_media_effect




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