Arguing on the internet

[nuala]

Reading some stuff this morning made me realise that I have pretty much given up expecting to convince anyone of anything on the internet. I will if in a good mood try to make a simple statement of my alternative point of view and not engage further or if in a cranky mood I'll make sarky comments but again won't really engage.

And yet I learn from other people arguing on the internet all the time.

Comments

[andrewducker]

You just inspired a poll. I didn't name you, because this post is flocked - but I'm happy to if you're ok with that :->

[hfnuala.livejournal.com]

Sure, name away. I'll even unlock this.

[0olong.livejournal.com]

I think most of the time, anyone actually bothering to argue is unlikely to be persuaded to change their view - though they may still learn a lot. The people most open to persuasion are going to be the ones who don't directly get involved, watching from the sidelines.

Mind you, I also suspect that people change their minds thanks to arguments quite a bit more often than they readily admit to - either because they don't want to lose face, or because it just takes a while for their changed opinion to bed in.

[batswing.livejournal.com]

I've learnt so much from internet debates!