How to Change Your Mind in Public
Added 2026-11-03
Acknowledge the old call, name the new evidence, state what changes now.
I stated a position publicly and now want to change it (context below). Write the explanation: 1) acknowledge the earlier position directly; 2) name the new information that changed my mind; 3) say which part of the old view was wrong and which still holds; 4) state what I will do now; 5) give one line of explanation without excuses. Do not use "things change" as the reason.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
公开改主意的成本，远低于坚持一个已经错的判断。
Try tweaking it
- Ask what evidence would overturn the judgement.
- Have it argue both sides with three reasons each.
What you should get
- A decision table: assumptions, evidence, counter-evidence
- A next action with an observable signal
Common mistakes
- Asking only "should I?" and getting equally valid answers both ways.
- Never asking for counter-examples, so you only hear support.
How to check the output
- It states what evidence would overturn the conclusion.
- Both sides are argued, with assumptions marked as such.
Where it works
- Good for: splitting a decision into assumptions, evidence and counter-cases, leaving the call to you.
- Watch out: ask what evidence would overturn the judgement, or you will only hear supporting reasons.