Persuasion

In a fragmented world, we get posturing, pronouncements, and political ultimatums. In other words, we get just the sort of public discourse we deserve: emotive appeals that shame our opponents, coupled with sabre-rattling denouncements that rally our troops. What’s important is that we preach loud enough to be sure everyone in our choir hears us.

Well, we’re not willing to play by these rules. So this issue of Comment is devoted to recovering a lost art: persuasion.