It's so weird to me that people will respond to something and then get angry that I don't engage them in debate. People don't owe you anything.

I fell super hard into this in 2020. I would try so hard to gently explain to people that, yes, COVID is real and that, yes, Donald Trump lied about election interference. There was some post about more people in some county voting than were registered. I literally found the county's records and showed them that no, there were more people registered than voted and that the post was a lie. You know what they said? "You found that with Google, which is a liberal source."

It's not worth it. I don't engage. I'm a much more stable and happy person because of it.

Peaceful arguments is just not a thing online. There is no learning nor seeing the other perspective - Just people being defensive and manipulative.

Also don't forget that a considerable number of the users that would engage in a debate with you are either children or bots.

This puts me in mind of this classic.

Also, the debate crowd doesn't actually want to hear you to change their minds if new information is presented, they just want a platform to parrot their bullshit in a way they look legit and smart, and they can't do that without the debate. So, as usual, don't feed the troll.

Actually, debate between hostile strangers online serves an important role in churning up internet drama. This is vital to the continued survival of the popcorn industry.

Wow thank you for this meme. The comments in the post above this one were absolute dog shit, and I seriously was on the verge of engaging with them. I didn't engage. Yayyyy

If you press them too closely, they will abruptly fall silent, loftily indicating by some phrase that the time for argument is past. It is not that they are afraid of being convinced. They fear only to appear ridiculous or to prejudice by their embarrassment their hope of winning over some third person to their side.

-Sartre

Two additional sentences at the end of the often posted quote from "Anti-Semite and Jew". Those two sentences were always included in the quote when I first saw it making it's round years ago. Now it takes hunting to find the complete quote. Most sites cut it off after "the time for argument is past". I wonder who would benefit from us forgetting those last two sentences.

Love this ❤️

yes i agree that jd vance should die.

Anything that costs me peace of mind is too expensive for my tastes

I argue to check if my opinions are popular in the community I'm in. If I get more positive engagement then I know I'm probably in the right place.

Unfortunately, social media is highly influencial of public opinion, so it is a civic responsibility that those with life experience and expertise with things need to engage in. Failure to do so effectively is rolling over for ~~MAGA~~ Nazis 2.0.

We need to be better at rhetoric and debate. Cicero wrote over 2 millenia ago about the power of eloquence.

"Wisdom without eloquence does too little for the good of communities, but eloquence without wisdom is, in most instances, extremely harmful and never beneficial. If, then, anyone exerts all of his energies in the practice of oratory to the neglect of the highest and most honorable pursuits of reason and moral conduct, he is reared as a citizen useless to himself and harmful to his country; but the person who arms himself with eloquence in such a way that enables him not to assault the interest of his country, but rather assist them, this man, in my opinion, will be a citizen most helpful and most devoted both to his own interests and those of the public.”

In recent years, the unwise have weaponized eloquence. The wise among us have failed spectacularly at understanding the importance and power of persuasion.

debates fine but you don't need to finish it or win it. Its a process.

Ah yeah? But what if I call you a big Chicken-Butt?

/s

I like this.

Any tips for organizing in person debates with friends?

I went through exactly this last night. It's funny for a minute or two, but gets exhausting so fast.

Objective Materialism vs Subjective Idealism go brr

I've changed people's minds with arguments.