Discussing politics and other contentious sunjects online feels to me like it’s counterproductive these days and even though I try not to get suckered in, I often can’t help myself. Usually though I just end up feeling frustrated and sometimes angry at the other person either missing my points or refusing to accept them.
Thinking back to conversations I’ve had here and previously on Reddit, not only can I not remember an example of me “winning” the discussion and the other person changing their mind or conceding the point, I also cannot think of a time where my mind was changed either.
So have you ever begun a discussion online with someone with a different view point to yours and either you, or they, changed the others mind?
The main problem is that people don’t even know how to talk to each other, much less make a convincing case to have someone change their mind. It is possible though. If a black man can convince dozens of KKK members to abandon their racist beliefs through conversation alone, then there’s a reliable and repeatable way to change deeply hardened ideas. But no one wants to bother to learn this, they would rather shout at others and try to “own those retards” to make themselves feel better.
Daryl Davis
Podcast with Daryl Davis
Different podcast on changing people’s minds on polarising social topics with deep canvassing
Also worth considering how open you (the royal “you”, not OP specifically) are to having your own mind changed; before getting worried about the minds of others.
I haven’t heard his name in a while, loved his ted talk. What a good dude. But yeah, excellent points. Too many people seem to think ostracizing others is going to solve things, I think it has only made things worse.
Wow, thanks for the sources. I don’t listen to podcasts but will check out his book.
To add a personal point: For me if I feel anger, in a debate where the oposition just countering my arguments (and not obviously trolling or use fallacies), that usually means I ran out rational arguments and my brain tries to protect me by turning on the fight/flight/freez reaction, that’s the point I can learn if I can keep my emotions in check.
I usually only join a debate when I am interested in the other side’s perspective.