Anti-COVID-Vaccine Persuasion Workshop
Reader Led Workshop Discussion -- Best Antivax Persuasion Practices
I would like to make this post to open up a virtual workshop where we can learn from each other about what methods help place a seed of doubt into vaccine-supporters minds.
I know that people do change minds because I am aware of several individuals who were initially supportive of Covid vaccines, but later changed their minds, no longer accept vaccines, and refuse boosters. Because my name is attached to this blog, I will NOT post details, but I am sure you know such people also.
You and I know that “Covid vaccination” was a crazy and reckless (at best) undertaking by health authorities overtaken by herd mentality. (if you disagree, you are still my welcomed reader)
That said, there are plenty of people who blindly “believe in science” (which translates into misplaced trust, believing whatever “the experts” were telling them). We know that some of such people eventually see the light and change their minds. What made them change their minds? What can we learn?
I would like to explore what approaches work to plant a seed of doubt and change minds about vaccination. With the baby vaccines just approved, this creates a bit of an urgent situation.
I would like this to be a “workshop” where we post experiences regarding mind-changes, and then read through the replies and discuss what works and what does not. The only restriction that I would suggest is that we only recommend truth-based messaging, that is, nothing based on lies.
I know that I was able to plant a seed of doubt in the mind of one mother regarding vaccinating her kids. She never vaccinated them. Kids had Covid like everyone else’s kids and nothing bad happened. At the same time, I know that I could be better at convincing and want to learn from you.
Please post in the comments:
If you were initially supportive of Covid vaccines, but later changed your mind, was there one person or one message that made you doubt your original beliefs? If so, what was the message? Who was the messenger? How was it conveyed? Was it an a-ha moment, or was it a result of many experiences?
If you were able to convince your loved ones to change their mind about Covid vaccination, what did you do? What sort of approach worked?
Comment away!
I will start this pinned message wiith "best practices" gleaned from your replies. To be edited based on your suggestions.
** Read Josh Guetskow "Reaching People" article
https://jackanapes.substack.com/p/how-to-reach-people-across-the-divide
Some thoughts from the readers:
- Most important is to persuade them to WAIT a few weeks. This makes the job half done
- Mention your personal acquiaintainces who died or were hurt by vaccines
- Refer to Europe banning Moderna for young people
- Promote general skepticism of pharma industry as that "opens the door" to doubt
Also, general approach to persuasion is that it must involve ACTIVE LISTENING and empathy. The person you are trying to convince, must feel that they are listened to, valued and understood.
A common topic (coming from those who changed their minds, or changed minds of others) is to make the deciding person watch a video. Some suggestions to be compiled later.
Amazing response from a professional persuader LAWYERLisa (seatch for it): recognize the person type and act according to the type.
Recommend everyone to NOT use Google for "doing their own Covid research".
For the more closed minded people, ASK QUESTIONS rather than tell them how to think.
User MP was convinced by a family friend antivax doctor. If you know anyone who is a health professional, and is against vaccines, see if you can get them together.
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Great questions to ask:
Generic Subscriber
3 hr ago
Start seeding doubt with simple questions to try to kick start the critical thinking that has gone to sh1t the last several years...
- Have you read the 5-10 year impact study? (impossible, not out long enough)
- If an expert tells you a NEW product is 'safe and effective' with no long-term data to support that position, is that not a lie? (good time to bring up the European warnings/bans regarding Moderna)
- If an expert lies to you about long term impact, why do they deserve your trust without verification? How else may they be misleading you?
- What is the track record for these experts on related issues? On mask flip-flopping. On safe social distancing (5' vs 6'). On disinfecting groceries. On 'two-weeks' to slow. On restricting outdoor activity. On disinfecting outdoor furniture. On sitting/eating maskless being safe. On street-side tent restaurants being safe but not indoor restaurants. On lockdowns and school closures to prevent spread. On vaccines neutralizing covid. On vaccines stopping the spread of covid.
- Putting aside fear, anger, suspicion, and other emotions - have you done an honest risk assessment to compare the unknown risk of a novel treatment against the known risk of a negative outcome based on age and co-morbidities?
Very important -- if you do not have direct control over the person, do not forbid or command people. Make them make their own decision.
For those who are swayed by "majority", point out that the majority of Americans refused booster shots.
MY OWN TALKING POINT
-- Vaccines are hard. There NEVER was any successful vaccine against ANY coronavirus
-- There NEVER was a successful, safe, effective and approved mRNA application.
What makes you think that Covid vax would succeed?
The first thing that made me against COVD vaccines was an article posted by the Salk institute that the Spike protein was an agent of disease that could effect the heart, brain, lungs, and other vascular tissue.