Hi Code Switcher, thanks for reading and for your comment!

I doubt it's true that attempts to persuade are themselves proof of free will.

We're being persuaded all the time. To eat, to have sex, to sleep, to walk, to vote, to cry, to fight -- anything and everything.

In fact, I was sure to inlcude in my piece that people would likely be perusaded to read this article for various reasons (and I'll add emphasis to what reason I think is yours.)

"..a Medium email appeared in your inbox, and, based on your current state of mind, whether there’s been enough influence on you, genetic or environmental, to make you interested in philosophy (perhaps to confirm a believe you already hold, or to defend a belief you already hold), you then clicked on this article."

Cheers.