An experiment in respectful persuasion

[edelsont]

The purpose of this journal entry is, again, to call your attention to something that I wrote, but which is not part of this journal.  This time, it's a new page in the Politics section of my "site" at The Well.  You will find it at https://people.well.com/user/edelsont/politics/rhetoric/vote-vs-life.html.

What's on that page?  A "script" for a short talk (which I imagine) to be given by Joe Biden.  For example, a televison ad, in which he speaks directly to the camera.  The people he is most particularly addressing are those who intend to vote for Donald Trump.

His message for them is very simple: I suggest that you don't go to any of Trump's campaign rallies.  Why not?  Because then you might catch the virus, and then you might die, and then you wouldn't be able to vote for him.

He acknowledges that this might seem strange.  Not the actual logic of what he says, but his motivation for saying it.  Why would he volunteer advice on how to make sure that you will be able to vote against him?

He gives that an equally simple answer: I'd like to have your vote, but I care more about your life.

Now what is my motivation for addressing this journal entry to you?  Partly, of course, to get you to click the above link, and go read that "script" for yourself.  But there's also something else that I am asking you to do.

Namely: here's a question, and I'd like you to think about it, and give me your answer.  Ideally, you would do that by posting a comment to this journal entry.

Here's the question: does it seem possible to you that this, or something like it, might be effective?

Naturally, you respond to this with a question: effective at accomplishing what?  Am I asking whether it would be effective in persuading people to avoid rallies (and wear masks, and generally take care of their health)?

That is, indeed, an interesting question.  But it's not the one I'm asking you.  The real question is whether such an address—despite, on the surface, not attempting to do so—might encourage some of its hearers to change their minds, and vote for Biden instead of Trump.

Do you think that it would?  And why, or why not?