More than a few times, readers have asked if I realized I was “preaching to the choir” or, as our late friend Hugh used to say, “spitting in the wind”. I always felt that I was still doing the right thing, trying to open people’s eyes, to make information and viewpoints available that some might not have thought of, but I never quite knew how to answer the question. Robert Reich seems to get the same question and he has, I think, the perfect answer.
WHY I PREACH TO THE CHOIR
By Robert Reich
05 February 2024
Several of you have asked me why I spend so much time and energy on this letter, which is read mainly (if not exclusively) by people who already share my views and values.
“Why are you preaching to the choir?” you ask. “Wouldn’t your efforts be more useful if you tried to convince people who aren’t already convinced?”
I doubt I’d be more useful if, say, I went on Fox News. Even if I presented everything I provide in this letter, I doubt I’d change many minds. In my experience, people who have a deep emotional or intellectual investment in seeing the world one way are unlikely to change their minds by seeing or hearing someone who challenges that investment.
The people who need to be reached are those who remain reachable — whose minds are still open to evidence and argument.
Even if you already agree with me — even if you’re already in the “choir” — you still may benefit from two things I can offer…
Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News 
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