Crossing the great divide. The gentle art of persuasion vs. winning Aristotle said that there are three primary means of persuasion: argument by character, by emotion, and by logic. The world’s best persuaders use all three, in harmony. The centerpiece of this film is a master class in how its done by Fred Rogers, as he defends PBS’s funding to the Senate in 1969. In less than six minutes Rogers turns an openly cynical and hostile senator into PBS’s biggest fan. This crucially important film also elucidates the difference between fighting and arguing. The American discourse today is dominated by fighting: one side attacks another’s position - and sense of self - while defending their own. The tragedy is, the science of persuasion suggests that fighting, and it’s twin brother logic, never actually change minds. Fights only inspire retreat and revenge. The same science shows that argument is a very effective alternative. The goal of an argument isn’t to prove that the other is irrelevant, it is to solve problems and work out differences with a shared faith in the outcome. An argument assumes that you want to come together. The reason you are engaging is to meet each other’s needs, not abandon your own. We are all in the business of getting to 'yes'. This film, then, is required viewing for anyone with a point of view to share. Idea: view it and discuss it together in groups. Film: Mr. Rogers and the Power of Persuasion