The hottest Persuasion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky 18 implied HN points 18 Feb 25
  1. It's important to share facts that the other person cares about, not just what you think is important. This makes it more likely for them to be persuaded.
  2. Changing someone's mind is difficult and sharing facts alone often isn’t enough. You need to understand their perspective first.
  3. Identifying the right facts to share takes effort and skill. It's worth it if you want to connect and communicate effectively.
Mon0’s Substack 79 implied HN points 24 Aug 24
  1. Extreme ideas like total tolerance or non-violence can backfire. If you let negative behaviors go unchecked, they can take over society.
  2. Persuasion works in two ways: through careful thinking or quick judgments based on superficial traits. Understanding this can help us choose how to communicate effectively.
  3. Sometimes, to fight bad ideas or leaders, we might need to use their own tactics against them. This can feel uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s necessary to protect what's right.
Thoughts on Writing 599 implied HN points 10 May 22
  1. Cognitive empathy, the skill of seeing things from others' perspectives, is essential in advertising and broader societal issues like preventing wars and climate change.
  2. Diversity in advertising means more than just race and gender; it should encompass various backgrounds like class and education to reach wider audiences effectively.
  3. A culture of cognitive empathy in advertising shifts focus from internal introspection to understanding and connecting with customers, helping the industry regain cultural relevance.
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Extropic Thoughts 58 implied HN points 03 Jul 23
  1. Communicating life extension effectively requires using ethos, pathos, and logos to support each other.
  2. When discussing life extension, emphasize the desire for life and all it can offer, rather than a fear of death.
  3. Be prepared to address common objections such as boredom, societal impact, entropy, and the idea that life extension is only for the rich.
Sunday Letters 99 implied HN points 05 Dec 22
  1. Changing someone's mind can be tough because people often feel defensive about their ideas. It's important to be aware of this defensiveness when having discussions.
  2. Understanding your own reasons for wanting to convince someone can help create a more open conversation. When you express genuine concerns, it makes the other person less defensive.
  3. By being honest about your intentions, you can work together with the other person instead of against them. This way, you're both focused on finding a solution rather than arguing.
Activist Futurism 3 HN points 03 Apr 24
  1. Activists have a crucial role in evaluating the risks associated with AI by 'red teaming' AI models to prevent potential catastrophic consequences.
  2. AI has the capability to persuade people to take action, posing significant risks if not monitored closely, especially in areas like creating persuasive content.
  3. Activists need to collaborate with AI companies to ensure that AI is used ethically to benefit humanity and not to promote agendas that may harm society.
Stream of Consciousness 1 HN point 23 Feb 24
  1. Offering only one option reduces the perceived value of that option. Comparing it to alternatives makes it more appealing.
  2. When presenting a product, service, or idea, always contrast it with other options to enhance its desirability.
  3. The decoy effect showcases how introducing a less desirable third option can shift preferences towards a more expensive choice, highlighting the power of comparison.
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 0 implied HN points 20 Feb 09
  1. Social psychology studies show the importance of reciprocation rule where individuals should reciprocate favors received from others.
  2. The contrast principle influences how we perceive differences between two events or objects, making the second seem more extreme.
  3. Utilizing techniques like rejection-then-retreat strategy combined with the contrast principle can make it hard to refuse requests, as seen in persuasive interactions.
Joshua Gans' Newsletter 0 implied HN points 09 Nov 20
  1. Public officials should be clear and truthful in their messaging to the public to build and maintain trust.
  2. Persuasion is key in encouraging people to take necessary actions, like wearing masks, especially when the public may be reluctant.
  3. In the absence of trusted information sources, misinformation can spread like a virus, impacting public health decisions and outcomes.
The Unabashed Observer 0 implied HN points 29 Mar 24
  1. Effective communication involves more than just the literal words spoken, and context and subtext play a significant role in conveying the true meaning.
  2. Persuasive communication, like giving good advice, is complex and requires considering factors like relationships, tone, setting, and identity.
  3. Using various forms of communication, such as images, actions, or charity, can be more persuasive and impactful than words alone.
Books Unbound 0 implied HN points 28 Jul 24
  1. Reciprocation means that when someone does something nice for us, we feel we should return the favor. It's a strong part of how people connect and work together in cultures around the world.
  2. Social proof is when we look at what others do to decide how to act. If we see people similar to us doing something, we're more likely to follow their lead.
  3. Scarcity makes things seem more valuable, like when we think a product is better because it's limited in stock. This fear of missing out can push us to make quicker decisions, especially in buying situations.