Ask Lemmy

Yeah, everything OP says about arguing with conservatives applies to arguing with any other group with entrenched views. The problem is that each of those groups will insist that their own views aren't "entrenched", they're just reasonable.

Social media is largely designed to group people together into like-minded communities, so you find this everywhere. Here in the Fediverse too, though of course we here in the Fediverse will insist that contrary to all those other social media platforms we're open and diverse and not susceptible to that sort of thing.

Personally, I've found that one can overcome the sense of futility by reframing the debate. When I debate with someone online it's not to change their views, because that's basically impossible (it rarely happens but I don't count on it). Instead, the point of debate is to try to win over the casual onlookers who aren't participating directly. They aren't likely to have as much of a dog in the fight and so are more amenable to having those "huh, I hadn't thought of it that way" reactions.

The one nice thing about the Fediverse over Reddit in this regard, IMO, is the fact that we can see both the upvote and downvote count. So even if a comment of mine is being hammered with 93 downvotes I can still see that there were 18 upvotes and think to myself "at least a few people got what I was saying here."

Well I mean it stands to reason you're most likely arguing with paid actors using Persona Management software to have hundreds of such conversations in unison, so it's a moot point because they're being paid to prevent minds from being changed on subject X.

Honestly I feel like AI progression was just a cover for what was originally updated Persona Management where the human has to do even less to keep the consensus cracking and topic dilution ongoing.

Hey everyone look at this guy trying to make others laugh

/s

Tbf, nobody is gonna convince me of anything now. Most of my beliefs are formed independent of the internet. From logics and some empathy.

None of the bigoted xenophobic shit aint ever gonna sway me. Nor the tankie stuff.

Lived experiences is more powerful than some texts on a screen.

I disagree.

My mind has been changed at times, from online discussions. At least adding to my considerations and thoughts.

I hope I'm not considered evil though, maybe this comment was directed only at that kind of subset.

I used to think peoples minds can be changed on internet, but your comment made see that i was wrong.

Arguing in general is pointless.

To borrow a scene from "Thank You For Smoking", it isn't pointless but it is performative. The reason to argue is to get in front of a neutral or uninformed audience and state your case better than your opponent. Your goal is not to change your opponent's mind. Your goal is to change your audience's mind.

The DebateBro gambit is to raise personal exposure. The more you can get on TV and reiterate your views convincingly, the more people hear them and are swayed in your favor. You're a salesman and the Debate is your opportunity to gather a crowd and entertain a public through conflict. But the goal is to sell your ideas to the crowd, not the target of your conversation.

Especially with cats, i found out.

It is useful for the group of people that think. It can be helpful to really listen to a differing view, if coming from a thoughtful individual.

But arguing the existence of angels, shape of the earth, if blacks are whole people, or if women should be treated like individuals with volition, etc… not worth it.

But if somebody offers you a peanut, you should totally take it.

Lol, I see my cat and I just yoink, and I'm holding this creature. I've captured it, muhahahaha, hugs

My cat used to resist, now she just be like this is my life now

I used to scoop up my cats and let them be a "mecha pilot." Wherever they'd turn their heads, I'd walk in that direction. Eventually they'd catch on and use the opportunity to explore places they normally can't reach. Sniff stuff on the walls and such.

Some cats are just like that, they have very strong boundaries and some don't consider anything worth going outside their comfort zones. Others can be trained, if you figure out their favourite treat and the right time to train. But sitting in the same room and blinking at each other now and then is a also a good enough show of intimacy in their language.

I think OP already made that point

There's a spot in Houston's Chinatown with a big gallery of claw machines. I think my success rate was better than 50%. Even got two at once on one try. But when its $2 to play and you're winning toys that are worth less than $1...

Incidentally, they have a desk at the front where you can trade back your winning toys in bulk for bigger prizes. But they're all random dodads you could get on Temu for a few bucks each. Like, you can turn in twenty stuffed animals for a cheapo touch pad. Basically a fancy kind of Chuck'e'Cheese ticket, when considered in bulk.

But if you're looking for a dog's chew toy or a way to bloat your 2-year-old's stuffed animal war chest? Hard to beat the value in bulk.