Exercising the Right to Change One’s Mind
Deep Dive: New information, new decision
"When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"
John Maynard Keynes
Introduction: Changing One’s Mind
When I worked for Sen. Bob Kerrey (NE) at the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., he was famous for reserving his right to change his mind. And, when he got new information, he often did so.
This week in Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen exercised his right.
Pillen initially rejected $18 million in federal funding intended to feed hungry children during the summer but reversed his decision.
Pillen's change of heart was influenced by discussions with high school students who shared their personal experiences with hunger, highlighting the importance of the Summer EBT program.
The Summer EBT program, which provides pre-loaded EBT cards to low-income families for purchasing groceries, was made permanent in 2022 after proving essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move to accept the funding came amid legislative efforts to mandate the state's participation and bipartisan support for the program, showcasing the power of advocacy and cross-party collaboration.
As a strategic communicator and a college writing instructor, I love that the students’ testimonies to the governor became the final input to help change his mind.
While there are numerous angles to consider, my analysis focuses on the positive evolution of this situation. So what is the value, in general, to a community and a democratic government when a culture supports changing one’s mind? Benefits can include:
Fosters Growth: Encourages lifelong learning and intellectual humility, promoting both personal and communal development.
Improves Decision-Making: Leads to informed, effective policymaking by allowing adjustments based on new evidence or information.
Stimulates Dialogue: Supports open, constructive debate, refining ideas and enhancing democratic processes.
Enhances Trust and Cohesion: Reduces polarization and builds trust by showing openness to new insights.
Increases Adaptability: Enables communities and governments to effectively respond to new challenges and information.
Promotes Accountability: Encourages transparency and acknowledges that adapting in light of mistakes is a strength.
Drives Innovation: Cultivates a more innovative and effective approach to problem-solving by considering diverse ideas and solutions.
Valuing the ability to change one’s mind in light of new information is profoundly beneficial to both communities and democracy and this type of culture fosters resilience, adaptability, and progress.
Deep Dive Story Idea Hat Tip: Eva Roberts!
Additional Resources:
What did the students say to the governor? How did they prepare? Read more about the five students who worked to change the governor’s mind in the Lincoln Journal Star.
A Slight Change of Plans Podcast with Dr. Maya Shankar: Named by Apple as the Best Show of the Year 2021, host Dr. Maya Shankar blends compassionate storytelling with the science of human behavior to help us understand who we are, and who we become, in the face of a big change. (Hat Tip: Miki Kramper!)