[DesuMaiden]

Seems to the case from my experience. It is not like you are actually going to able to change another person's mind from debating them. The only practical use of public debates (whether in the real world or online) is that they allow people sitting on the fence to make a decision depending on which side(s) makes the more persusive point. But since many (if not most) debates end up being unreliable because of the popularity bias (as in, the most popular opinion of a particular place almost certainly dictates the winner of a debate. For example, on a Christian forum, you are probably forced--by rules of the site--to make statements that put Christianity in a positive light), most debates end up just being a popularity contest of whatever idea is most popular wherever the debate takes place.

I just don't see the point of debates. Unless someone here can convince me otherwise of course, I would change my opinion. But I'm pretty sure there are many people that share the same view or recognized the same problem with any form of debate. This is why I don't engage in debates with anyone anymore...I realized the futility of such efforts a long time ago, and I just wanted to share my thoughts on this topic.

[ROCKMAN]

D - True: changing opinions is difficult. But challenging opinions based on incorrect facts is not "debating". If you followed many of the Rockman's posts they often presented DOCUMENTED FACTS that prove such opinions as unsupportable. And just as often you don't seen responses. Which IMHO means such invalidated opinions aren't changed. They simply alter their arguments to support modified opinions. Which I do find rather satisfying: a lack of a rebuttal says it all IMHO.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DesuMaiden', 'S')eems to the case from my experience. It is not like you are actually going to able to change another person's mind from debating them. The only practical use of public debates (whether in the real world or online) is that they allow people sitting on the fence to make a decision depending on which side(s) makes the more persusive point. But since many (if not most) debates end up being unreliable because of the popularity bias (as in, the most popular opinion of a particular place almost certainly dictates the winner of a debate. For example, on a Christian forum, you are probably forced--by rules of the site--to make statements that put Christianity in a positive light), most debates end up just being a popularity contest of whatever idea is most popular wherever the debate takes place.

I just don't see the point of debates. Unless someone here can convince me otherwise of course, I would change my opinion. But I'm pretty sure there are many people that share the same view or recognized the same problem with any form of debate. This is why I don't engage in debates with anyone anymore...I realized the futility of such efforts a long time ago, and I just wanted to share my thoughts on this topic.

[Newfie]

This article may give you some insight on how to be more effective at changing people's minds, including your own.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.newyorke ... -minds/amp

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'T')his article may give you some insight on how to be more effective at changing people's minds, including your own.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.newyorke ... -minds/amp

[Plantagenet]

Almost everyone's views and opinions change and evolve with time. The most general pattern is for people to go from being "liberal" when young to becoming more "conservative" when old.

This does suggest that people's opinions are not set in concrete. While few people will completely switch their views in response to a single debate, as people gain wisdom and experience through the years their opinions do slowly change and evolve.

[sparky]

.
"Is engaging in debates a futile effort ?"

......99% of the time , YES!!

[mmasters]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '
')Apparently economics is an area where the human capacity for irrational behavior and thinking is yuuuge.

[vtsnowedin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mmasters', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '
')Apparently economics is an area where the human capacity for irrational behavior and thinking is yuuuge.

[AgentR11]

The point of a debate is to present your position and come to better understand the position of your opposition. A change of opinion CAN happen, but its not the point.

[Newfie]

Maybe.

One can take a debate from an adversarial point of view, competition, who wins.

Or from a formal view, set time limit, rebuttal.

Or in the form of dialog, preferably. Where the folks exchange ideas, withdraw, consider the points, revisit the points and discuss more. While you may not change a mind (even your own) you may learn something or change your world view.

Lots of reasons to debate/discuss.

[ROCKMAN]

Plant - "This does suggest that people's opinions are not set in concrete." An alternative view: the opinions of older folks are just as set as younger. But over time one's self-interest changes and the tendency is to re-pour that block of cement. For instance when young and low income one might be all for higher tax rates. Add 30 years and increase income significantly that "opinion" about wealth "redistribution" can change a good bit. And both opinions of the same person can be just as rigid.

[Ibon]

In the topics that we discuss here on this site I often think of this as a slow grinding through the years and decades as you reconsider again and again the challenges and consequences of moving this juggernaut of humanity through transitions that will be forced upon us. I have to say that in 40 years of considering this topic my major underlying opinions haven't changed much or been proven wrong. I have always seen forces of change being imposed on us rather than coming from enlightened response. Or at best enlightened response coming late as a result of external guidance in the form of consequences.

Our resiliency as a species is profound and is not going to change any time soon. Adaptations coming up will underscore this.

A lot of debate here is just passing the time at a given moment as the real glacial changes move about in a time scale way beyond any of our lifetimes.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ROCKMAN', 'P')lant - "This does suggest that people's opinions are not set in concrete." An alternative view: the opinions of older folks are just as set as younger. But over time one's self-interest changes and the tendency is to re-pour that block of cement. For instance when young and low income one might be all for higher tax rates. Add 30 years and increase income significantly that "opinion" about wealth "redistribution" can change a good bit. And both opinions of the same person can be just as rigid.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ROCKMAN', 'P')lant - "This does suggest that people's opinions are not set in concrete." An alternative view: the opinions of older folks are just as set as younger. But over time one's self-interest changes and the tendency is to re-pour that block of cement. For instance when young and low income one might be all for higher tax rates. Add 30 years and increase income significantly that "opinion" about wealth "redistribution" can change a good bit. And both opinions of the same person can be just as rigid.

[Outcast_Searcher]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '
')If you don't think people can ever change their minds, then how you do explain Obama voters switching to Trump?