stfoth
Geoff--I think you are misapplying the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy, here. However, you seem correct on at least the appearance of the backfire effect, on both "sides."
sfroth, how can the Backfire Effect apply to anyone except the naysayers? You know, since fuse directionality is real. The naysayers just won't take no for an answer, that's all. Live and let die, I say.