Politics.

Tig said:
I dabble with it in the Politics Only forum at roadbikereview.com. No one changes anyone's minds or views, but you learn to present an argument well since the opposition will always find holes in your statements. It has to be hard defending either party since they are both so flawed. They don't allow things to get too personal.
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A lot of people fail to grasp that the purpose of debate isn't necessarily to change one another's minds. It can change the minds of third-party listeners, and it can help participants become better thinkers.
 
Mark Wein said:
You mean to say that interacting with adults in a meaningful way was an impetus to becoming a constructive member of society?

I really wonder what the bulk of todays kids are going to be like in 20-30 years after spending much of their youth plugged into iPads and social media. And lazy parents letting the technology babysit for them.
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Honestly, today's young adults would have to have to try pretty hard to do worse than their baby boomer parents. No offense to anyone.
 
Flamencology said:
A lot of people fail to grasp that the purpose of debate isn't necessarily to change one another's minds. It can change the minds of third-party listeners, and it can help participants become better thinkers.
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One might even change one's own mind after vetting the issue with others. The vetting of the issues is the big thing. That was clearly proved in my law school experience by group study, after I had mastered the subject matter on my own as best as I could. Becoming informed to begin with is extremely helpful.
 
Gary Blanchard said:
That seems to be the missing factor in this day and age.
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In post #26, I mention becoming informed. One should remain respectful even if one[EDIT; fixed horrible grammar preserved in @Flamencology 's quote] is not informed and is engaging in a conversation to learn. But too few now become truly informed beyond social media or the headlines before picking a team and yelling at the other team. I hope that can change.
 
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Flamencology said:
Honestly, today's young adults would have to have to try pretty hard to do worse than their baby boomer parents. No offense to anyone.
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There are plusses and minuses I guess. I grew up with "pre-baby boomer" parents who were born in the 1920's and early 30's so my perceptions can be a little skewed. Dealing with young adults every day for the last 3 decades has really done a number on my hope for the future though.
 
I'm amazed at the number of people posting online who apparently have no interactions with anyone who expresses different viewpoints from themselves. The internet has segregated itself into a bunch of echo chambers.
 
sunvalleylaw said:
In post #26, I mention becoming informed. One should remain respectful even if they aren't and are engaging in a conversation to learn. But too few now become truly informed beyond social media or the headlines before picking a team and yelling at the other team. I hope that can change.
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I think that the education systems fail to provide competency in discerning between credible and incredible sources. Which is probably why there's a push against liberal arts education in schools.

And I think that the news media - especially cable television and talk radio - is also a major problem, obviously.
 
Mark Wein said:
You mean to say that interacting with adults in a meaningful way was an impetus to becoming a constructive member of society?

I really wonder what the bulk of todays kids are going to be like in 20-30 years after spending much of their youth plugged into iPads and social media. And lazy parents letting the technology babysit for them.
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ummm.......see the begining of The Matrix ??
 
Devil is Dill said:
I'm amazed at the number of people posting online who apparently have no interactions with anyone who expresses different viewpoints from themselves. The internet has segregated itself into a bunch of echo chambers.
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That's a very real phenomenon. And getting worse. I read an interesting article on that exact topic with regard to social media as well as news sources.

Wish I could remember where.
 
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