A variant of this is that both ppl are answering the same question but on different time scales. So one is pro (on a generational timeline) and the other is con (on a 4-year timeline).

Both might be right, for their respective time scales, which is why it's so hard for either one to back down.

Many many ways to talk past one another. We need a small book on techniques to short circuit these situations and salvage conversations.