REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

ever been...persuaded?

POSTED BY: MINCINGBEAST
UPDATED: Saturday, July 17, 2010 22:49
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 896
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Friday, July 16, 2010 4:27 PM

MINCINGBEAST


It occurs to me that RWED is contributing to my degeneration, which was admittedly well underway when I stumbled in. Exposure to different viewpoints and ideas has not made me more knowledgeable, tolerant or open minded; it has made me sadistic and snarky. My views grow more rigid with each post I read. I haven't changed my mind, once; my horizons are shrinking.

Am I doing it wrong? Has anybody been persuaded by anything posted in this wasteland? Has a RWED thread ever changed the way you approach an issue, or is the point just to reaffirm our beliefs and enjoy the name calling?




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Friday, July 16, 2010 4:36 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!



As a practicing skeptic, I look at the evidence and evaluate the issue first. Then I make my decision on a topic. I CAN be swayed to change my view, if there's evidence to support such a change.

However, name calling, taunts and superfluous attacks on my views, character, beliefs or opinions have yet to yield any such conversion.




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Friday, July 16, 2010 4:46 PM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important


Hello,

When I first came to this board I was a believer in the necessity of the Iraq War. I also thought Bush was a fair president.

I have since been persuaded that the Iraq war was unwise and unjust, and that Bush wasn't a particularly good leader.

Even when I came around to the idea that Iraq was a bad idea, and that we were sold the war on false pretenses, I still advocated for the necessity of the war in Afghanistan.

I have since been persuaded that it is a bad idea.

When I first came to this board, I saw social programs like health care as a villainous method of control and theft. While I am still wary of the program, I now understand that its proponents are not villainous, nor do they intend thievery, but they are rather driven by a compassion unworthy of mockery.

When I first came to this board, I believed firmly that pure unchecked Capitalism was the only reliable and natural economic situation. I have since been persuaded that some levels of government regulation are necessary to protect people.

When I first came to this board, I believed in the death penalty. I have since been persuaded that it is ineffective, inefficient, and immoral.

I think you could say that my views have changed a great deal since 2002. The past 8 years have been years of growth and change for me. Part of that change is attributable to exposure to thoughtful commentators on this board, who have presented convincing arguments forcing me to analyze and sometimes alter my position.

--Anthony

Due to the use of Naomi 3.3.2 Beta web filtering, the following people may need to private-message me if they wish to contact me: Auraptor, Kaneman, Piratenews. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Friday, July 16, 2010 4:49 PM

BYTEMITE


Well, it wasn't always like this. The early years were before my time. But I was told by a good resource that originally, despite vastly different political opinions, people used to be united here by a common love of Firefly.

Then someone called AURaptor a name.

The rest is history.

Although! There was a while when I first came here where I was eating up people's alternative perspectives like a SPONGE! There was lots of great posts about science and obscure but very relevant history! It was an oasis of awesome and crazy, and crazy awesome, so much so that I recommended people come here.

Then Obama started sucking like six days in, and everyone started talking about how much Obama sucked, and it's been kinda that way for a while now.

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Friday, July 16, 2010 4:49 PM

KIRKULES


I have changed my mind a few times in conversations here about medical science and World history. Some of the liberals here are very knowledgeable in these areas. Unfortunately their persuasive talents don't carry over into the political spectrum. I have softened towards the Clintons over the years, but more because of being able to look back at the time in a historical context and not because of anything said here. Even after years of constant Bush bashing here I'll probably die thinking George Bush and Dick Cheney are good men.

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Friday, July 16, 2010 5:34 PM

MINCINGBEAST


Interesting, thank you for the context.

I should emphasize that I am not taking notes on who is credulous and persuadable, for my own sinister purposes. Apparently, there was once more to RWED than name calling and snarling. It sounds terribly dull. I shall do my damnedest to make sure those days never return.

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Friday, July 16, 2010 5:42 PM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by mincingbeast:
My views grow more rigid with each post I read. I haven't changed my mind, once; my horizons are shrinking.


You need to get out more, then.

My views of politics have morphed considerably since 2005 when I joined this site. From raging Liberal to Libertarian/Anarchist.




The laughing Chrisisall


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Saturday, July 17, 2010 4:31 AM

DREAMTROVE


It's all a matter of who you listen to. I tend to pay more attention to people who disagree with me and are insane, I see. Seriously, I don't know if I politically moved, but I become belligerent at times off the forum because the hostility here rubs off a little, still, it's good because some people here have interesting things to say. In general, those are the people who are not stomping for a political point of view, left or right, and If I'm tending anywhere, it's that I'm tending towards joining them.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 5:55 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...


I've learned a lot...if that is part of being persuaded, I guess it would be "yes". I've had positions and beliefs I've heard about which have changed, even a few--tho' not many--on politics.

Politically I've learned a LOT about libertarianism and lean more that way than I ever did, but most of the time I am just astonished by the stubborn deafness of some who refuse to let facts get in the way of their desperately-held political beliefs.

On other subjects, I've learned a ton. It's expanded my horizons, and i haven't been here that long. I agree that there are some very knowledgeable people here, with much wider horizons than mine.

I wish I'd been here before it got ugly; that wouldn't be boring for me, it would be more fun, to have debates with intelligent people, and I think it might well have had a stronger influence in my politics. But mostly I've been shocked to see a cross-section of Americans and find out that my fears about RWAs were far less than they should have been, and seen so many examples of it that I despair.

Just being here and having decided to look for intersting topics has probably taught me as much as anything others have written. Then reading the responses to those topics has educated me even more.

I just wish there was less nastiness, I guess beyond that it's pretty much perfect for me and I'm always grateful I found you guys.


Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
signing off


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Saturday, July 17, 2010 6:11 AM

KANEMAN


Quote:

Originally posted by Niki2:
I've learned a lot...if that is part of being persuaded, I guess it would be "yes". I've had positions and beliefs I've heard about which have changed, even a few--tho' not many--on politics.

Politically I've learned a LOT about libertarianism and lean more that way than I ever did, but most of the time I am just astonished by the stubborn deafness of some who refuse to let facts get in the way of their desperately-held political beliefs.

On other subjects, I've learned a ton. It's expanded my horizons, and i haven't been here that long. I agree that there are some very knowledgeable people here, with much wider horizons than mine.

I wish I'd been here before it got ugly; that wouldn't be boring for me, it would be more fun, to have debates with intelligent people, and I think it might well have had a stronger influence in my politics. But mostly I've been shocked to see a cross-section of Americans and find out that my fears about RWAs were far less than they should have been, and seen so many examples of it that I despair.

Just being here and having decided to look for intersting topics has probably taught me as much as anything others have written. Then reading the responses to those topics has educated me even more.

I just wish there was less nastiness, I guess beyond that it's pretty much perfect for me and I'm always grateful I found you guys.


Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
signing off





You lean Libertarian? Are you smoking crack again? You are as much a libertarian as I am a Liberal whore. You wouldn't know a thing about personal liberty if it was fucking you in the ass....Well, it's true...

As for being swayed or changing beliefs based on what these clowns say. Nope. You would have to be fucking brain dead to be influenced by this group of nutjobs. I gave up years ago even trying to debate these idiots. Really, where is the honesty and integrity? We have NIKI2 saying she leans libertarian. How in heaven can you debate that without telling her she is a foolish idiot?

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 9:31 AM

OUT2THEBLACK


Quote:

Originally posted by Niki2:

I wish I'd been here before it got ugly;
...I just wish there was less nastiness, I guess beyond that it's pretty much perfect...




Niki finally makes a relevant point !

It was a lot less ugly/nasty before she entered the room !

..And before all of her queernation colors and animation , there was a lot less eyestrain , too !

She sure enjoys trying to blow her psychobabble 'sunshine' up my tailpipe very liberally...


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Saturday, July 17, 2010 9:36 AM

MINCINGBEAST


Quote:

Originally posted by out2theblack:
Quote:


Niki finally makes a relevant point !

It was a lot less ugly/nasty before she entered the room !

..And before all of her queernation colors and animation , there was a lot less eyestrain , too !



I am persuaded. Pysche! I'm not persuaded! Fooled you, didn't I? I totally fooled you.

I like you, and want to offer lessons on how to insult people, for a modest fee. I could use the money, to spend on crack and PCP, and you could use the practice.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:05 AM

MAL4PREZ


I haven't been persuaded of much, except maybe a shift regarding gun rights. I used to be more ambivalent. I certainly never wanted guns outlawed, absolutely not! But I did want more limits. Discussions here got me to back off on that a bit. It's scary but true: the people should have the means to rise up if they need to. I hope it never happens, but the ability should be there. We're powerless enough as it is.

I've likely changed in other ways, but not because any one person talked me into it. Mostly, RWED has been more a source of information, and that's opened my eyes to a lot. Really, this has been and continues to be a treasure trove.

I'm also learning a little about how people with different beliefs than mine think. Unfortunately, most RWED encounters don't make me respect the right wing much. In that way I'm like you Mincingbeast: I'm afraid RWED pushes me toward a darker view of conservatives. Luckily, I know some intelligent and reasonable Republicans in real life, so I can separate the loonies here from the way conservatism could be, if it focused on content and principles.

-----------------------------------------------
hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:41 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN


Quote:

Originally posted by AURaptor:

As a practicing skeptic, I look at the evidence and evaluate the issue first. Then I make my decision on a topic. I CAN be swayed to change my view, if there's evidence to support such a change.

However, name calling, taunts and superfluous attacks on my views, character, beliefs or opinions have yet to yield any such conversion.



Ditto.
Part one applies to many forums I have visited. Because I yearn to learn I can amend or reverse my opinion or view when I find the facts support it.
Part 2 is the clear description of what RWED has become.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:44 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN


Quote:

Originally posted by kaneman:

You lean Libertarian? Are you smoking crack again? You are as much a libertarian as I am a Liberal whore. You wouldn't know a thing about personal liberty if it was fucking you in the ass....Well, it's true...

As for being swayed or changing beliefs based on what these clowns say. Nope. You would have to be fucking brain dead to be influenced by this group of nutjobs. I gave up years ago even trying to debate these idiots. Really, where is the honesty and integrity? We have NIKI2 saying she leans libertarian. How in heaven can you debate that without telling her she is a foolish idiot?


Double ditto.
It is not often I find that Kaneman posts something I agree with, or paraphrases what I would state if I had the time, but this time he nails it.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:46 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN


Quote:

Originally posted by out2theblack:
Quote:

Originally posted by Niki2:

I wish I'd been here before it got ugly;
...I just wish there was less nastiness, I guess beyond that it's pretty much perfect...




Niki finally makes a relevant point !

It was a lot less ugly/nasty before she entered the room !

..And before all of her queernation colors and animation , there was a lot less eyestrain , too !

She sure enjoys trying to blow her psychobabble 'sunshine' up my tailpipe very liberally...



Mega Dittoes.
But she still won't get it.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 10:49 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN


Quote:

Originally posted by mal4prez:
I haven't been persuaded of much, except maybe a shift regarding gun rights. I used to be more ambivalent. I certainly never wanted guns outlawed, absolutely not! But I did want more limits. Discussions here got me to back off on that a bit. It's scary but true: the people should have the means to rise up if they need to. I hope it never happens, but the ability should be there. We're powerless enough as it is.

I've likely changed in other ways, but not because any one person talked me into it. Mostly, RWED has been more a source of information, and that's opened my eyes to a lot. Really, this has been and continues to be a treasure trove.

I'm also learning a little about how people with different beliefs than mine think. Unfortunately, most RWED encounters don't make me respect the right wing much. In that way I'm like you Mincingbeast: I'm afraid RWED pushes me toward a darker view of conservatives. Luckily, I know some intelligent and reasonable Republicans in real life, so I can separate the loonies here from the way conservatism could be, if it focused on content and principles.



That may be because you don't see many right wing posts in RWED anymore, and even in the past they were actually few. The rare right view posted here is hardly representative.

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