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Science-first philosophy with one goal: flourishing for all. It begins with the split between reality and thought, then adds tools for thinking clearly and living legal, moral, and fair. That fairness includes accepting that others will hold their own religious beliefs.
Science-first philosophy with one goal: flourishing for all. It begins with the split between reality and thought.
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Imagine adding 12 life-changing ideas to your worldview each year. The Prestwood Column explores one life-changing idea each month through philosophy, critical thinking, science, and history. Read or listen to this month’s column below. Subscribe free to receive the next one.

Explore one life-changing idea each month through philosophy, critical thinking, science, and history. Read or listen to this month’s column below. Subscribe free to receive the next one.

The Prestwood Column
October 2026
The Prestwood Column
Oct 2026

THIS MONTH: Persuasion.

By Michael Alan Prestwood
Take control of disagreement by managing your emotions, choosing your ground, and deciding where you want the conversation to go instead of merely reacting to the last thing said.
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Listen to the column, or the research behind it.

Column Research

Stories: Science Philosophy Critical Thinking History Big Bang Metaphysics Evolution Biases Futurism Ancient History Ethics Reasoning

1 Essay + 6 Tidbits
1 Focus
Plus a bonus deep-dive article.
This Month:
— Persuasion —
The best persuaders do not attack identity; they create room for reconsideration. Roger Williams offers a useful model: engage people within their own framework, find common ground, and let persuasion grow from dialogue rather than force.
Greetings!

Earlier this year I wrote my 5 column Understanding MAGA series and the feedback has been almost entirely positive. I think because the series is not partisan, despite the headline grabbing title. It’s really just a fair look at how people end up in something like MAGA. I’m very proud of the series. If you haven’t read it yet, start here:

The only real feedback I got was along the lines of interesting, but how can we convert someone? So, this month’s topic is persuasion. To tackle persuasion, we’ll use one of history’s great persuaders as our role model: Roger Williams.

–Michael Alan Prestwood
6 Research Tidbits
Wisdom Builder Crossroads
The research, stories, and questions that inform this issue.

1 Story »

The Great Quaker Debates!
9 Aug 1672
You can believe another person is deeply wrong, argue your case forcefully, and still defend their right to disagree.

2 Quote »

“All men are prone to differ. It is no new thing in all former ages, in all parts. Each party is most right in his own eyes.”
In disagreement, take control of your response instead of letting emotion or the last comment control where the conversation goes.

3 Science »

Do facts actually change minds?
Take control of debate by correcting the claim without turning the person into the target. Focus attention on what is true, not on proving the other person wrong.

4Philosophy »

When does persuasion become manipulation?
Persuasion respects agency; manipulation tries to take control of it.

5Critical Thinking »

How can you tell when a debate has stopped being productive?
Take control of disagreement by recognizing when a debate is no longer productive and exiting before frustration turns into anger.

6History!

What is the history of debate?
A thinking person understands that good debate finds a way to test ideas, expose weaknesses, clarify differences, and move everyone a little closer to truth.
The Deeper Dive!
Linked Article
History
Article
Roger Williams Biography and Dedication to the Freedom of Conscience
Historical Perspective
Big changes rarely happen all at once. Long before the American founding, Roger Williams was putting ideas like liberty of conscience into practice in Providence. Wisdom means seeing those deeper foundations—how ideas emerge, get tested in real life, and sometimes grow across generations into principles later societies take for granted.
The Prestwood Column
Menu
October 2026
Column Research….
1. Timeline Story
The Great Quaker Debates!
2. Linked Quote
“All men are prone to differ. It is no new thing in all former ages, in all parts. Each party is most right in his own eyes.”
3. Science FAQ »
Do facts actually change minds?
4. Philosophy FAQ »
When does persuasion become manipulation?
5. Critical Thinking FAQ »
How can you tell when a debate has stopped being productive?
6. History FAQ!
What is the history of debate?
Bonus Deep-Dive Article
Roger Williams Biography and Dedication to the Freedom of Conscience

Home of Natural Philosopher Michael Alan Prestwood

TouchstoneTruth is my ongoing exploration of the ideas that help us understand our world and live better within it. I call myself a natural philosopher because I write where science and philosophy meet—following evidence, questioning assumptions, and exploring the great ideas humanity has built along the way. Thanks for taking the journey with me.
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The Prestwood Column

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A Science-First Book about the Ideas That Shape Us

30 Philosophers: A New Look at Timeless Ideas explores how human understanding has evolved — from ancient questions to modern scientific thinking.

Written by natural philosopher Michael Alan Prestwood, the book blends philosophy, science, and history into clear, human stories focused on explanation over authority and meaning over memorization.

For those who value better thinking over being right.

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