In the years that I have been in different forums on different sites, I have almost never seen a debate on any serious topic (abortion, immigration, religion etc) that resulted in someone changing their previously held point of view. I would say that most of the time I see people talking at each other, but not really listening to each other. I mean, people respond to each other, but leave with the same view of an issue they came in with. I've been guilty of this myself sometimes (meaning not listening or being pointlessly sarcastic in a post etc) so I'm not immune to criticism. Once in a while I will see two "rival posters" concede each others points peacefully and agree to disagree or end up in a "I'm sorry man" kind of resolution which is always cool to see, and I have seen some incredibly intelligent and thoughtful posts on both sides of any given issue, including the side I don't agree with. I can really recall only one instance where a debate resulted in a "you know what? You're right. I never thought of it like that" resolution. When I do see them it's largely because it's over something trivial, like say "which way should your toilet paper be loaded." Clearly, debates don't always have winners or losers and there is value in being able to read what other people have to say (and it can be quite entertaining), but has a forum debate ever changed your mind about anything? Have you ever seen someone genuinely change their previously stated point of view? Or have your experiences been like mine?
In the years that I have been in different forums on different sites, I have almost never seen a debate on any serious topic (abortion, immigration, religion etc)albatrossdrums
where have you been.... there are many. i think there is one on abortion right now :|
[QUOTE="albatrossdrums"]In the years that I have been in different forums on different sites, I have almost never seen a debate on any serious topic (abortion, immigration, religion etc)hiphopballer
where have you been.... there are many. i think there is one on abortion right now :|
Really? I must have missed it or been in the topic at the wrong time. It would make me very happy if people responded with yes to this question, it would give me hope and make me think I've just had lousy timing.
Nope, I doubt anyone really changes their mind because everyone thinks their view is the right one. I know I'll never change my view on a subject if I think I'm right.
Nope, I doubt anyone really changes their mind because everyone thinks their view is the right one. I know I'll never change my view on a subject if I think I'm right.
Snipes_2
Thats bad.
I know its not easy to change views, but predetermining your own intransigence is even worse than assuming everyone else is intransigent.
I don't like the taboo ones like religion or abortion or gay rights, i however lurve do indulge in the other one's like moral obligations of the human race and such.
Nope, I doubt anyone really changes their mind because everyone thinks their view is the right one. I know I'll never change my view on a subject if I think I'm right.
Teenaged
Thats bad.
I know its not easy to change views, but predetermining your own intransigence is even worse than assuming everyone else is intransigent.
Well, If I think I'm right and your wrong, why would I change my view if yours could be wrong?
There certainly have been times my own views regarding topics have been adjusted in light of better arguments. I have also seen some on these forums open up about having changed their minds about various topics. Granted, it's not very often. People do not often have radical transformations in their worldview overnight. However, it most definitely can happen over several nights. :P
Nope, I doubt anyone really changes their mind because everyone thinks their view is the right one. I know I'll never change my view on a subject if I think I'm right.
Snipes_2
Thats bad.
I know its not easy to change views, but predetermining your own intransigence is even worse than assuming everyone else is intransigent.
Well, If I think I'm right and your wrong, why would I change my view if yours could be wrong?Because perhaps the person you disagree with may say something you hadnt thought of, or bring forth some sort of evidence/information that will show you that your view is slightly/partially/completely off.
No, such topics, particularly the never ending abortion ones, never change my mind.
dragon7x2k
I find the gay related and religious topics more repetitive but then again I didn't bothered reading the new abortion topic.
I don't know where you stand on that issue, and I'm not asking, but don't bother. I'm sure no matter what side you're on it's one big facepalm party anyway. (I don't get into so many of the gay/religious topics myself. Why make myself crazier?? :P)
[QUOTE="albatrossdrums"]In the years that I have been in different forums on different sites, I have almost never seen a debate on any serious topic (abortion, immigration, religion etc)hiphopballer
where have you been.... there are many. i think there is one on abortion right now :|
No, such topics, particularly the never ending abortion ones, never change my mind.
binpink
I find the gay related and religious topics more repetitive but then again I didn't bothered reading the new abortion topic.
I don't know where you stand on that issue, and I'm not asking, but don't bother. I'm sure no matter what side you're on it's one big facepalm party anyway. (I don't get into so many of the gay/religious topics myself. Why make myself crazier?? :P)
Lol, that sounds almost like "your opinion is almost certainly wrong", those topics aren't too appealing to me either, I preffer the artistic stuff but whatever, nobody is making me click those threads, is just that I do to try to understand the other party point of view, sometimes thay lack solid arguments, I respect but don't share.
I don't think I've ever changed someone else's point of view, but I know for a fact that my own view has been broadened quite a bit over the course of debates I've been in through the exposure to new information one gets while forming a defense for one's position. I don't imagine I would know what I know today about Christianity, its figures, and its history if I hadn't participated in religious debates.
I know its not easy to change views, but predetermining your own intransigence is even worse than assuming everyone else is intransigent.
Teenaged
Well, If I think I'm right and your wrong, why would I change my view if yours could be wrong?Because perhaps the person you disagree with may say something you hadnt thought of, or bring forth some sort of evidence/information that will show you that your view is slightly/partially/completely off.
What I'm trying to do is to find _the_ opinion. I want to see the subject from all perspectives and based on the info I have available I try to find the 'best' point of view. People who don't change their mind are narrow minded, imo. Sure, sometimes I like to defend my opinion to death just for the sake of it to see if it holds up or gets crushed!
What I'm trying to do is to find _the_ opinion. I want to see the subject from all perspectives and based on the info I have available I try to find the 'best' point of view. People who don't change their mind are narrow minded, imo. Sure, sometimes I like to defend my opinion to death just for the sake of it to see if it holds up or gets crushed!
kontejner44
On subjects where I'm undecided (and even on some subjects where I'm not), I have a tendency to play Devil's advocate a lot when I see a position put forth that seems weakly justified or unjustified and argue against it, even when I actually lean towards agreeing with the position itself. I think more people should do this; it's not healthy to never give the other side of the argument its proper time.
Of course, I have found that this confuses people regarding what I actually believe. :P
What I'm trying to do is to find _the_ opinion. I want to see the subject from all perspectives and based on the info I have available I try to find the 'best' point of view. People who don't change their mind are narrow minded, imo. Sure, sometimes I like to defend my opinion to death just for the sake of it to see if it holds up or gets crushed!
GabuEx
On subjects where I'm undecided (and even on some subjects where I'm not), I have a tendency to play Devil's advocate a lot when I see a position put forth that seems weakly justified or unjustified and argue against it, even when I actually lean towards agreeing with the position itself. I think more people should do this; it's not healthy to never give the other side of the argument its proper time.
Of course, I have found that this confuses people regarding what I actually believe. :P
That's an excellent suggestion. I have noted that the threads that happened to draw the more thoughtful and informed posters, who actually took the time (sometimes a lot of time) to state their case in great detail and with factual reference, no matter what side of the issue, often resulted in the more antagonistic or combative responders seeming to lose interest or at least deciding not to just throw fuel on the fire. I think if an effort to be rational and fair is shown from either side of an issue, it goes a long way.
I've had my mind changed on different issues, but it really depends on the issue. Things like religion, I don't think will very often be persuaded by an internet forum; things like abortion or political things, on the other hand, I think are more feasible. But really it mostly depends on how open-minded the person in question is towards the idea of changing their opinions.
Not usually. Most people defend their views, not change them. I guess it can happen though if the person is open minded and looking for an alternative view on things.
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