(03-02-2019, 06:55 AM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(03-01-2019, 01:49 PM)copycat Wrote: That would never work.  The extremes on both sides have their minds made up and nothing is going to change that.  I have attempted to discuss things in a civil matter on sites like that, most recently the Covington Catholic incident.  Even with video evidence dispelling the "kid taunts native American" notion there was no changing their minds.

I don't think you can change anyone's mind right off the bat, but you can plant a seed that will lead them to a more reasonable position in the future.  Especially if you approach them in a mild manner.   

Obviously, you never change anyone's mind by opposing and attacking them.   All you do is back them into a corner and make them defensive.  There's an old saying, "No one ever wins an argument."  

I think if we're ever going to overcome the polarization in this country, we have to be willing to engage each other in a polite, open-minded way.  I don't mean that you have to try to adopt the other person's viewpoint.  What I mean by "open-minded" is that we give the other person credit for sincerity, and try to understand why they feel the way they do.

Unfortunately, technology has irrevocably changed that. We can now anonymously denigrate someone from the palm of our hand, from anywhere in the world. We are provided the tool to attack, and echo chamber safe spaces in which to retreat, at the touch of a finger. The art of debate and the spirit of magnanimity are forever lost. Snot face.

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