something's not a fact just because you believe it to be. part of being human is that we really like what we believe to be true and we strongly resist any facts or arguments that suggest we're wrong. this is the case for everyone, even very sharp people. it's usually nor overcome with one conversation or one fact or one argument. you have to adopt a mindset that *everything* is *always* subject to reinterpretation. it also helps a lot to spend time with the people you disagree with. get to know how they think and why. simply picking your position and sticking with it, no matter what, is not a winning approach to life.