Ianonabike
Member
Are there any issues you feel strongly about where discussion on a forum (whether you took part, or kept quiet and listened to what other people were saying) changed your mind?
Changing your mind
- Thread starter Ianonabike
- Start date
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OP
OP
Ianonabike
Member
Care to elaborate?
Psamathe
Veteran
It's often far less black and white as "changed your mind". eg appreciating why some might have different views from yourself through to reversal of your own opinions.
I suspect for most (certainly for me) I am continually developing and adjusting my views of pretty well everything as more information emerges, as others from many sources highlight different aspects, etc. Sometimes it is little more than broadening thoughts, sometimes moving along a variable scale, sometimes more sympathy or greater tolerance (or less sympathy, less tolerance), etc. It's a process that is continuous and through many different forms of interaction and reflection.
Thinking "changed your mind" is too simplistic.
AndyRM
Elder Goth
Sure.
Without going into particular specifics, I've changed my mind on human rights, the application of hockey rules, mental health issues and various musicians based on valid opinions put forth by people whole know more than me on these subjects, on forums (and based on real experience).
Pblakeney
Über Member
That's not the answer we are looking for. 😉
Ian H
Squire
Charlie's angel wants your soul.
Pblakeney
Über Member
Charlie's angel. Brilliant! 😂
OP
OP
Ianonabike
Member
Where would I put it? In one of those boxes the ghostbusters used?
I went looking for a parody and this popped up:
View: https://youtu.be/pQD_VENEJeo
Incidentally, the idea for this thread came from this post
Pblakeney
Über Member
Pretty much this.
I've changed my mind on a few things over the years but it hasn't been "just" because someone on a debating forum came out with one winning argument that forced me to suddenly switch sides. It's come through actually having the debates online and in the real world and having to constantly go back and do further research when my arguments have been rebutted. There comes a point when you can no longer hold the line and the overwhelming weight of contrary evidence or argument makes you re-examine your views. This normally happens over a period of time and against a backdrop of many conversations and a lot of reading and research. One of the downsides I've found with forums like this is that people tend to assume positions/take sides/form alliances which then prevent them from backing down or giving ground because they don't want to lose face. It all gets a bit tribal sometimes. This is absolutely nuts considering that most will not be posting under their real name in the first place and any loss of face doesn't materially affect them.
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AndyRM
Elder Goth
Guess I shouldn't have taken the OP seriously.
Rusty Nails
Country Member
As the Op do you have any examples of when you changed your mind?
OP
OP
Ianonabike
Member
No. Nothing major, at least. Happy to update this if and when.
Correction: I changed my mind about Brexit. But that was my wife's doing, not social media.
I do always appreciate hearing something that hadn't occurred to me, an example from today being when it was suggested in the Free Speech thread that Linehan was met with so many officers at the airport because they might have to deal with problems with other passengers during the course of the arrest. But since I thought that was a ludicrous arrest to begin with, it had no bearing on my opinion.
I wonder how often we change our minds about people. I think a lot of us cling to first impressions – I'm no exception. But I'm open to continually developing and adjusting my views.
