The Smiling Funnel Web teaches you how to argue effectively Much of life is spent in arguing, and most arguments are futile wastes of time. Neither the participants nor the audience learn anything. Between men in crowdedbars arguments can even lead to physical fights, usually for no purpose. Yet intelligent argument is often the only sensible way to advance our many causes, to spread knowledge, and to achieve progress. It is one thing to sound impressive, to devastate the opposition, andto make a great impression. It is by no means the same thing to change people's minds, to convince them by your arguments. Persuasion is achieved more often than not by quiet, rather than devastating argument."