How do we not fall into that little whirlpool of terribleness?

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dobner.

And you're listening to no stupid questions.

Today on the show, how can you convince someone that they're wrong?

I, for a long time, have hated saying the words I was wrong.

Also, how can you ease the sting of rejection?

Is wrong with that mother bleeper?

So Angie, I recently read an article in Quartz by Olivia Goldhill.

It was called to tell someone they're wrong.

First tell them they're right.

And I thought of you, of course, since you're always right.

And I'm usually wrong.

This article cited advice from Blaze Pascal, the 17th century French philosopher.

He wrote, when we wish to show another that he errors, we must notice from what size

he views the matter.

For on that side, it is usually true.

And we must admit that truth to him, but reveal to him the side on which it is false.

He is satisfied with that, for he sees that he was not mistaken, and that he only failed

to see all sides.

And so, Angie, Pascal argues that this would essentially pave the way for an admission of

at least partial wrong thinking.

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