You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.

Hello, I’m Robert A. Heinlein. Some know me as a science fiction author, but today, let me step into the role of a philosopher of human nature. I want to share with you a quote of mine that seems to grow more relevant with every passing year: "You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic." When I wrote this, I was reflecting on the fragility of reason in the face of emotion. Logic and critical thinking are slow, deliberate processes that require effort, self-awareness, and patience. Prejudices, on the other hand, are quick, visceral, and deeply tied to identity. They don’t just bypass reason; they thrive in its absence. In my time, I saw this dynamic play out in politics, propaganda, and even religion. Leaders often found it easier to manipulate crowds by stoking fears or playing to existing biases than to engage in rational debate. The consequences were dire, leading to wars, societal divisions, and an erosion of trust in democratic institutions.