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Can online political disagreement be constructive?

G

Greg 1

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Can online political disagreement be constructive? Does anyone ever change their mind or learn anything other than that their preexisting beliefs are even more certain?

If online political disagreement can't be constructive, how the heck can we try to engage with the other side in a constructive way?
 

I changed my mind after talking to some people, so, yes, it can be done.
 
Rarely it can. It does take people with some interest in the truth and some shared values.
 
Phys251 said:
I changed my mind after talking to some people, so, yes, it can be done.
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Do you feel comfortable saying what you changed your mind about?
 
I haven't changed my mind based on any discussion I've had on DP. I may have moderated my stance on a few things based on conversations I'm had with other people.
 
Only if people are willing to learn and consider other opinions.

And that automatically excludes at least 80% of Trump voters.
 
Greg 1 said:
Do you feel comfortable saying what you changed your mind about?
Click to expand...

Not really, as I don't want to reveal too much about myself. But let's just say that it all happened during the Bush regime. I used to be a hard conservative until I opened my mind to newer and better possibilities. Haven't looked back.
 
I learn things on DP. Whenever I get something wrong there are plenty of helpful people to point out my mistake. But seriously, some of opinions can be changed by facts or well reasoned argument.
 
Greg 1 said:
...

If online political disagreement can't be constructive, how the heck can we try to engage with the other side in a constructive way?
Click to expand...
Ecstasy and a bed?
 
Greg 1 said:
Can online political disagreement be constructive? Does anyone ever change their mind or learn anything other than that their preexisting beliefs are even more certain?
Click to expand...

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I used to be a constitutionalist, limited-government, kind of guy. Around 25 years ago I used to hang out in humanities.philosophy.objectivism, which at the time was populated with mostly ancaps and objectivists. That group was filled with super smart people like David Friedman, Bryan Caplan, Jimmy Wales, and many others. Reading and watching the objectivists (and myself) get crushed over and over again is what made me give up on limited government.
 
I'm not looking to change minds. For me, it's enough to present truth in the midst of all the bullshit.
 
There's no right or wrong. Just get your points across and agree to disagree.
 
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