Published on 12, July, 2020
The wisest thing to do would be to not argue in the first place. There's no point. No one wins in the end, it just results in the mods locking the thread and normally a few members will leave.
I refer you to point one. It's not always about 'winning.'
Charla said:Even if you totally demolish them with arguments that seem sound to you, they will often leave the argument thinking in their heads "he just didn't get what I was saying" or "I should have said that in this way instead" rather than actually thinking of the validity of your arguments.
Again I refer you spicificly to point 1 subsection b through d. Even if no one's mind is changed it's not a pointless exercise. Simply demonstrating your opinions are the product of a rational process has value, as is seeing that others have engaged with such a process. And as I say you often gain new insight via arguing.
I agree but generally whatever you're hoping for you won't achieve unless it's an online war.
People are set in their ways and when a discussion gets to the point of arguing almost never will you actually convince the opposing person and get them to truly change their minds and see things from your side. Even if you totally demolish them with arguments that seem sound to you, they will often leave the argument thinking in their heads "he just didn't get what I was saying" or "I should have said that in this way instead" rather than actually thinking of the validity of your arguments.
This is what I meant by no one wins.
What is almost a certainty is that it will get heated and usually result in people getting hurt as well as people not wanting to stay on the forum.
To me it is a pointless exercise. All you result in doing is wasting your own time when arguing with somebody.