Why do we like to argue?

[SLCPUNK]

Well?

[journey]

It's human nature. And some conservatives would even say it's better than sex. 

[Tied-Up]

Why do I like to argue?  Because it gives me something to do, it gives me an excuse to procrastinate the things I should be doing.  Plus... I'm always right, so I like to strut my stuff!   

[Bridge]

are you serious?  Arguing is what makes this place -- and every other board out there -- interesting.

The world would be a dull place if we agreed all the time like robotic drones.

[SLCPUNK]

are you serious??

Of course I am.

I am not totally unaware of why....I'd just like deeper input.

Maybe we can even argue why.....could be fascinating.

[Bridge]

Okay, here's something...

I think a good debate is good for the mind.  you may see others' points of view that you may not have seen before.  even if you don't believe what they're saying, you might at least see another side of the issue.

you don't have that dynamic when everyone agrees all the time.

[SLCPUNK]

Okay, here's something...

I think a good debate is good for the mind.? you may see others' points of view that you may not have seen before.? even if you don't believe what they're saying, you might at least see another side of the issue.

Do you think people ever change each others minds though?

I'm not picking apart your post. I'm being serious....

Seems like people never switch over to the other sides point of view, no matter what the subject. I've only seen it once, and the guy turned out to be nuts anyway.....

[SLCPUNK]

Why do I like to argue?? Because it gives me something to do, it gives me an excuse to procrastinate the things I should be doing.? Plus... I'm always right, so I like to strut my stuff!? ?

How hard is it to be right about Bon Jovi sucking?

Sheesh!   

[Rain]

Okay, here's something...

I think a good debate is good for the mind.? you may see others' points of view that you may not have seen before.? even if you don't believe what they're saying, you might at least see another side of the issue.

Do you think people ever change each others minds though?

I'm not picking apart your post. I'm being serious....

Seems like people never switch over to the other sides point of view, no matter what the subject. I've only seen it once, and the guy turned out to be nuts anyway.....

I think at first no ... but in the long run it can make you think and wonder !
This is my favorite place for debates ... It's here that I actually realised what a neo-con was. 
And I used to like reading arguments between gnrnightrain and SLC (even if I used to tend to agree w/ SLC most of the time )

[Skeba]

Do you think people ever change each others minds though?

I'm not picking apart your post. I'm being serious....

Seems like people never switch over to the other sides point of view, no matter what the subject. I've only seen it once, and the guy turned out to be nuts anyway.....

I have.. Plenty of times. I have been pretty certain on some issues, and after some debate I have had to think my views through and change some of them, and sometimes - when the other party has been openminded as well - we have found whole new solutions to problems that neither of us had though of before. Surely there are people who "stick by what they believe in", no matter how stupid it may be. But that is just stupid. That's one of the reasons why I think the whole republican/democrat way of thinking is not all that good because it seems to me that there's a lot of "you're either with us or with them"-thinking going on, with neither side willing to give in one inch.

Worst, I think, are the people who take themselves seriously. The more seriously they take themselves, the harder it is for them to admit that they've been wrong about something. And leads us more and more to the us vs. them setting. I don't even dream of ever being all that smart... It makes my life whole lot easier. So what if an idiot like me is wrong on some issue on some internet board.. Doesn't effect my life in any negative way. If anything, it actually might have given me a new view on something that I hadn't thought of.

[MCT]

Lacking telepathy or some sort of all-encompassing collective that keeps us perpetually linked with one another, we have no choice but to approach our agreed upon sets of symbols - languages - from our own personal angles, riding our own subjective beasts down our own visceral paths in order to attempt to meet with each other on an objective middle ground, or some semblance of.

Individuality, eh?

[N.I.B]

We argue because its just better than sitting around waiting for Chinese Democracy to come out. 'Cides we get more done, too.   

[pilferk]

Okay, here's something...

I think a good debate is good for the mind.? you may see others' points of view that you may not have seen before.? even if you don't believe what they're saying, you might at least see another side of the issue.

Do you think people ever change each others minds though?

I'm not picking apart your post. I'm being serious....

Seems like people never switch over to the other sides point of view, no matter what the subject. I've only seen it once, and the guy turned out to be nuts anyway.....

Change people's minds? No, probably not. Or, at least, not often.

But, you don't need to change their minds to get them to understand your point.? They might not agree with you, or even acknowledge that your point is valid, but at least they understand you.? And you, them.

And understanding is a powerful thing.?

Because understanding can lead to compromise.

And compromise is the single greatest problem solving tool that ever existed.

[MCT]

And compromise is the single greatest problem solving tool that ever existed.

Interpersonal problems, sure - in the domestic sense - but compromise doesn't really get one what one truly wants. Only verifiable power does that.

Now, refute me. Unless of course you wish to compromise...

[Jamie]

I think we argue because world politics is based on two apposing extremes. Liberals, and Conservatives. It seems Liberals and Conservatives have completely different opinions on almost every major issue, and with no other credible options people take sides with one or the other. I think, also that these two apposing views may have caused the huge generation gap in the 60's and 70's. Because a lot of popular culture was begining to take very liberal standpoints, TV, music etc. whereas the previous generations seemed to be raised in a much more Conservative environment, that very rarely questioned politics/religion. Just my opinion.

[MCT]

In the face of existential notions you tout the political axis? You're gone by...

[Dr. Blutarsky]

It is an intellectual sparring match. How intellectual it is sonetimes is a bit to be desired.

As long as people don`t get too emotional & personal arguing is a good thing and can be constructive.

[Shoco]

cos wer to stubborn to admit wer wrong

[Jamie]

In the face of existential notions you tout the political axis? You're gone by...

I'm using the political axis as the basis of my argument not as the begining and end of the subject.

[pilferk]

And compromise is the single greatest problem solving tool that ever existed.

Interpersonal problems, sure - in the domestic sense - but compromise doesn't really get one what one truly wants. Only verifiable power does that.

Now, refute me. Unless of course you wish to compromise...

Someone's been reading "The Art of War".

Sometimes verifiable power actually does the opposite.? It creates problems.

Oftentimes bending like the blade of grass is more beneficial than being rigid like bamboo.

Even the eternal rock compromises with Mother earth....slowly allowing her to reclaim small pieces of it through her forces of nature.