From the reality tunnel of Lem Korova... To say that someone can "come round to your way of thinking" is misleading -- technically, it's impossible. We all perceive the world in nuanced or radically different ways, and as a result the values that we derive from our expericences of it are also nuanced or radically different. We may think we are in agreement with another person over something, but our (sometimes subconscious) reasons may not be the same. It's also worth considering that unless a subject is unusually suggestible and is following your opinions uncritically, whatever "change of opinion" you effect in him or her has been thought through by the same mind that held the previous position: the same system of values underlies. This is true of everyone -- we cannot step outside of our belief systems, for when we examine and restructure them we are doing so within the same system! (Think about that for a few seconds and see if it makes your head explode!) When you change someone's mind about something, then, you usually do so through appealing to values that they already hold -- changing not the core values themselves but their ideological manifestation. Most advocates of capitalism, for example, adhere to that economic system because they believe it is more compatible with freedom than any other. 'Converting' someone to socialism requires not an exorcism of evil capitalist spirits from their mind, but an appeal to the positive values they already hold, and a demonstration of why capitalism contradicts them (and why socialism is more compatible with them). Another example of this debating tactic can be seen in anarchist critiques of Marxist-Leninism. Most of these consider the ideals (freedom, equality) which it is alleged to stand for, and then constrast them with the practice of the ideology in the Soviet Union, and by contemporary parties. After demonstrating the bankruptcy of Marxist-Leninism as a conduit to freedom and equality, anarchism is suggested as a better alternative. I've taken down the essays which were previously here because they are no longer representative of where I'm at. Until I get round to writing some more, you can check out some of my recent posts to the Enrager forums, or some older ones on Flag!. Back to Way Beyond Legal