> Arguments virtually never convince anyone, so this is all a moot point.
I would tend to agree with you that when two people are arguing, there is very little chance that one will convince the other. However, one of the things I like to do on HN is read arguments between two informed people on a topic in which I myself an uninformed and unopinionated. So for my personal benefit I would urge the people of HN to keep arguing. And to cite your sources.
As far as I know regarding persuasion psychology, this is false. These are the psychological studies you are appealing to.
If you have a more substantiative argument I suggest you cite these, but it'd be news to me.
Arguments virtually never convince anyone, so this is all a moot point.