Why I preach to the choir

Several people have asked me why I spend so much time and energy on this column, which is read mainly (if not exclusively) by people who already share my views and values.

- Robert Reich

“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 column, 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.