In light of the recent fighting going on --fighting which I completely tuned out on this time because I just can't go there right now, I thought it worth posting up the very obvious.
Advocacy is selling people. When we want to motivate others to align with us, take action, share a belief, contribute to a cause, or maybe just agree, it is all about closing the deal.
It's not about bullying, intimidation, superior logic, or greater intelligence, or any other lame ass, shitty tactic we see Kossacks doing because they didn't get their way in a discussion.
Ever buy things from people you don't like? I don't, because I don't like them and the end game on that sucks! And if I actually have to do that, what is the first thing I do? Double down on finding people I like to buy from!
If you can't sell it here, then you have some work to do. It's that simple. You might have a decade of research on your side. You might actually be the one person in the world who has it right on too, but it won't mean jack if you can't get out there and sell it to the others.
When you fight, you marginalize yourself, Kossacks in general (and that is just shitty people), the message, movement and generally do more harm than good.
Feels great though! Doesn't it? You delivered that zinger and just sit an inch taller for a while because you kicked so damn much ass! Then it's over, and like a drug you want more, and an ugly thing gets fugly!
Do you know you get the same feeling from closing the deal? Finding common ground with a difficult set of discussion partners is just as big of a buzz! Getting new signups for that action generates a buzz too! And unlike the other buzz, real good is done, value added, a net gain is made.
Sell it people. If you aren't doing that, you aren't adding value and we are all worth less because of it.