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A collection of some classic Lemmy memes for your enjoyment
The end goal of debates is not to change your opponent's mind, but to present your ideas and reasoning to the people watching in a convincing way.
I stop when it is clear the other person is arguing in bad faith.
The block button is your strongest weapon against trolls.
It also helps teach you about your own opinions, and helps you learn new things even if the person you're taking to is a moron (because you have to research stuff to debunk their bs)
Sometimes in public forums my goal is to show the neutral third parties who might stumble upon that thread to see for themselves which view is more reasonable. Bad faith arguments that are common sometimes need to be knocked down whenever and wherever it persists.
The fact I can see your comment makes me think I'm not on your block list yet, and that's a great thing. Yay!
As far as I know, blocks on Lemmy are one sided. As on, you don't see stuff from who you blocked, but they can still see your stuff. I've definitely gotten comment replies from people I blocked ages ago, I just see it as blocked as long as I'm logged in.
Mostly I just like thinking about interesting things and putting those thoughts to paper. But sometimes people online seem to take that as a direct challenge and argue about literally anything. From the definition of a word, to my anecdotal experiences being incorrect (lol). Luckily I've only had to block a few people so far, but they've been the type where their entire comment history reads like a 4Chan thread.
when a bunch of nerds (complementary) hate misinformation, lies, and ignorance on the internet enough, they all get together and make a wiki. its a beautiful, natural process. not all nerds will contribute to a wiki, but all of us will have some feelings about it.
Did you mean "complimentary", or were you saying that the bunch of nerds have distinct areas of expertise which, as a whole, complement each other?
Mostly, yes a lot!
Writing about my thoughts, opinions and positions has helped me understand them even better!
You're rarely going to change anyone's position online, as sadly most aren't arguing in good faith. BUT responding to rebuttals from others and questions (good faith or bad faith) leads to a very cool intellectual exercise where you get to probe your positions from so many different angles.
If things become toxic or brain-rotty, then you can just disengage without explanation! Kinda cool actually!!!
There's a weird dynamic to arguing online, particularly when it comes to political topics. Most of the time, you won't convince your counterpart. Maybe some point sticks with them later and you'll never know, but either way they're not really the target of the arguments. It's the (potential) audience that the argument is supposed to be for: People less emotionally invested in the conflict may take away something useful from the arguments, people on the fence about an issue might come around to your point, and people sharing your opinion will see that they're not alone and feel affirmed.
Essentially, it's a performance on an public stage for the sake of discourse. Phrased strongly, you don't want "the other side" to dominate the public opinion, so you engage them. In the process, you may hone your own arguments, or you may find them wanting, perhaps even see them start to crack.
I used to enjoy it a while back, now not so much. As long as people understand this is not how you change the world, you are doing this for yourself.
Laughs in does not read replies
Same. If they're dumb it's not worth the effort.
I don't want to be on my death bed wishing I had argued more, so I'm doing what I can while I'm young and ornery
It is fun arguing with people you disagree with as long as both argues in good faith. Both needs to be open minded to a certain degree.
The goal of a conversation is not to convince, but rather to explore your own and their mind. To grow together. A conversation is not a competition, we should not aim to "win" a conversation.
No it isn't. I win!
I don’t have any friends still alive to argue with so I gotta fuss at sonsabitches I don’t know!
Of course it was.
They were wrong. How are they going to know they are wrong if no one tells them?
I can answer with confidence: sometimes!
To be fair, when you try it in person, they're all "Who are you? How did you get in my house? I'm calling the cops!", then it's no fun at all.
Generally speaking, I don't argue with strangers on the internet with the goal of changing their minds or "educating" them. I mean, I do start with that intention...who doesn't? But by the time I am finished, I realize that I'm just clarifying my own thoughts and positions in my mind.
Its my crack I can't stop coming back to all while hating every second of it
I won, so yeah. 😤
It’s my favorite hobby.
At this point, every comment on Lemmy is greeted with angry responses who are willfully choosing to ignore the point I was making and try to fight me.
If I say “I like dogs” someone is going to come along and tell me I’m a jerk for not liking cats even though I didn’t say I don’t like cats. That or someone mansplaining dogs to me.
Calm down Lemmy. Take a breather.
This depends highly on the subject. Disagreements I learn something practical from one way or another are great.
Most discussions in the sphere of politics and ideology are pointless as it's almost always entirely personal opinion.
Especially without some kind of baseline in truth and reason people just say things. I have no time for that.
well, it's not like i have something better to do, lacking an ocean and a nice rock to sit on in the sun.
yes.
Oh, I'm about to argue with one right now you little dumbass
If only I could know that the ones I am arguing are actual humans not just bots. In the former my arguing could be fruitful and turn them to not vote any longer for the right extremist party in my country.
Absolutely. There’s way too many blithering idiots online. We made the web way too accessible to them back in the ‘90’s.
And if idiots don’t get challenged, you run the risk of them thinking they’re actually right. And that’s very, very dangerous.
I will admit the only reason I attempt to verbally correct them is because I don’t have access to a Reaper drone to shove a Flying Ginsu missile up their ass.
I mean, evidence shows that having their ideas challenged online tends to entrench people in their ideas more so than it convinces them that they're wrong.
So, while I sympathize with your goals, I think your method is having the opposite effect of your intended outcome.
I say this, knowing it's true, and still doing the arguing online thing anyway.
Us not pushing back on the bullshit and rightwing conspiracy theories is part why we're in this mess!
Was it worth it?
Well, we're clearly sitting on a picturesque beach on the Spanish Med, so... yeah? Sure, getting SWATted was no fun, and the bogus restraining orders were a real hassle, but ever since we had no choice but to leave the US things got a lot better.
Now, how about some sunscreen babe? You're gonna burn like that.
It was the arguing that taught me when not to argue.
If you think you can get beyond pleasure without going through it, we are definitely on different trips. - Zen Without Zen Masters
