Useful piece but haven't you forgotten the Why? Americans don't like roundabouts because they haven't used them, or grown up as child passengers seeing and enjoying them (at least I do). They are anxious about getting it wrong, looking foolish, being honked at. Statistics can't overcome those specific feelings, but other work, and experience, can. I have to deal with this in terms of third places. What makes people anxious about going out and socializing? Just telling people it's good for them isn't enough. I have to persuade them that's it is really worthwhile and then provide some tips and guidance.
I was just at public hearing about a new multifamily building right next to the commuter rail. The presenter tried to convince people that there didn't need to be more parking in the building than planned but she mentioned that the data she was presenting may not seem like commonsense but it's true. I agree her data was accurate
But after that virtually every speaker said it's just commonsense that there needs to be more parking. Everyone will have cars at least one if not more. You have to believe in commonsense. What was she thinking to not believe in commonsense... The data argument went nowhere with the neighbors.
Brilliant. I admit, that math word problem caught me. I knew the easy answer couldn’t be it so I had to dust off my very rusty (basic) algebra skills. Presenting choices as a black box is a great idea. 👏
“They are not failing because they are done badly. They fail because they don’t address the values, the stories and the data people had already chosen to believe. Numbers alone, or evidence, rarely change one’s mind.” Exactly!
Useful piece but haven't you forgotten the Why? Americans don't like roundabouts because they haven't used them, or grown up as child passengers seeing and enjoying them (at least I do). They are anxious about getting it wrong, looking foolish, being honked at. Statistics can't overcome those specific feelings, but other work, and experience, can. I have to deal with this in terms of third places. What makes people anxious about going out and socializing? Just telling people it's good for them isn't enough. I have to persuade them that's it is really worthwhile and then provide some tips and guidance.
I was just at public hearing about a new multifamily building right next to the commuter rail. The presenter tried to convince people that there didn't need to be more parking in the building than planned but she mentioned that the data she was presenting may not seem like commonsense but it's true. I agree her data was accurate
But after that virtually every speaker said it's just commonsense that there needs to be more parking. Everyone will have cars at least one if not more. You have to believe in commonsense. What was she thinking to not believe in commonsense... The data argument went nowhere with the neighbors.
I am still not sure how you would convince people about roundabouts ? What is the emotional hook that pulls them out of thinking fast?
Brilliant. I admit, that math word problem caught me. I knew the easy answer couldn’t be it so I had to dust off my very rusty (basic) algebra skills. Presenting choices as a black box is a great idea. 👏
Great article. Better than, but similar to what I tried to do here: https://pineconomics.substack.com/p/you-cant-bcr-your-way-out-of-a-preconception?r=5z2o2&utm_medium=ios
“They are not failing because they are done badly. They fail because they don’t address the values, the stories and the data people had already chosen to believe. Numbers alone, or evidence, rarely change one’s mind.” Exactly!