Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Its seems these day with all the 24 hour partisan "news" network that the political stratification is getting worse....


So my question is, can you recall a time when you actually changed the mind of someone that was diametrically opposed to your view?



Have you ever convinced someone to switch from Democrat to Republican or vice versa?
How about Global warming? It seem that even with a truckload of scientific data, some people still don't believe in it, have you ever changed someones mind?
Evolution?
Or perhaps changing religion?

Just curious, I can think on one instance...

Clthomps wrote:Its seems these day with all the 24 hour partisan "news" network that the political stratification is getting worse....


So my question is, can you recall a time when you actually changed the mind of someone that was diametrically opposed to your view?



Have you ever convinced someone to switch from Democrat to Republican or vice versa?

How about Global warming? It seem that even with a truckload of scientific data, some people still don't believe in it, have you ever changed someones mind?


Just curious, I can think on one instance...

Several times, but they all involved flashing a bat/full auto wiener dog...

Clthomps wrote:Its seems these day with all the 24 hour partisan "news" network that the political stratification is getting worse....


So my question is, can you recall a time when you actually changed the mind of someone that was diametrically opposed to your view?



Have you ever convinced someone to switch from Democrat to Republican or vice versa?

How about Global warming? It seem that even with a truckload of scientific data, some people still don't believe in it, have you ever changed someones mind?

Global warming is complicated than you think.

On topic though I managed to get someone to believe in evolution. He started off genuinely believing the world was 8,000 years old and that nothing had evolved (he had some bs examples), gradually came to accept the evidence having looked at fossil records online.

I've caused people to question the certainty they have in their own opinion, but only when I've questioned the certainty I have in my own in order to reach a level of intelligent discourse. I don't think it's possible to alter someone's opinion when you're coming from an intractable position in your own opinion.

Joey wrote:

Clthomps wrote:Its seems these day with all the 24 hour partisan "news" network that the political stratification is getting worse....


So my question is, can you recall a time when you actually changed the mind of someone that was diametrically opposed to your view?



Have you ever convinced someone to switch from Democrat to Republican or vice versa?

How about Global warming? It seem that even with a truckload of scientific data, some people still don't believe in it, have you ever changed someones mind?

Global warming is complicated than you think.

On topic though I managed to get someone to believe in evolution. He started off genuinely believing the world was 8,000 years old and that nothing had evolved (he had some bs examples), gradually came to accept the evidence having looked at fossil records online.

Global warming was a example, evolution is another good example.



Anyone else?

I don't know if I've really changed anyone else's mind up ins, but I've certainly had my opinions influenced and even changed by some of the posters here. To come up with a quick and recent example while hopefully not sidetracking the thread, I've come from buying the original spin on Trayvon Martin to moving pretty strongly into "I don't know what the hell happened".

I've managed to get people to open their minds to other possible answers to situations. Far to often people just get angry and make a brash decision and stick with it, not enough take a step back to look at the entire situation and make a more educated guess based on less obvious environmental factors.

Not sure, but I don't think i'd really want to set out to change someones mind/opinion (Unless they were really stupid, and their opinion went against fact).
But getting someone to open their mind, accept the possibility of there opinion being not right/not the only option. A lot of people are surprisingly stubborn, and their opinion is right, no matter what others say (some people even deny facts). Getting someone like that to consider the other side, is a pretty good start. (And i've done that)

"When the facts change, I change my mind."

Maynard Keynes

I do it often enough, but even I can't beat the stranglehold fox news has over some people.

No and I dont try either, my homeland is a lost cause.

I argue why Twitter Bootstrap is bad on a regular basis.

I've never convinced people to change their minds, but I have convinced people to just shut up and nod whenever I start talking. That's half way there.

I convinced someone to order the quesadilla burger instead of whatever the hell it was he was going to order.

I actually convinced my mom to go on a low carb diet and then she convinced my dad to try it out (he's even given up beer!). Both of them lost fat so far and are feeling great.

It's fairly straightforward, if not easy, to change the opinion of some people. Getting them to admit they were ever wrong however is damn impossible.

It's quite hard as a lot of people, when questioned will dig in and obstinately refuse to budge. I've fallen guilty of this myself.

But yes, a few times, I once managed to convince someone that banning cigarettes was a bad idea, even though I myself am against them.

I've had my mind changed plenty of times, on gun control and other issues, here on Dakka. It's why I value dakka OT.

I am not sure if I've often changed someone's mind. Maybe a couple of times to do with education? But I don't remember ever changing someone's mind on science, despite my qualifications.

I actually get so tired of arguing that stuff, I can barely read the threads any more.

Yes. The best way is to simply ask a lot of questions and be stupid. With the right questions, people start to change their own opinions on things.

I love playing a devil's advocate, even about stuff I don't actually believe.

In real life, people aren't as stubborn as they are online.

Clthomps wrote:
So my question is, can you recall a time when you actually changed the mind of someone that was diametrically opposed to your view?

I've changed plenty of mind, but never really convinced anyone that my views are correct, because I don't usually argue from my views.

I'd say the best I've been able to do in terms of swaying someone to my perspective was in a debate over ethics in which I was able to persuade a staunch conservative Christian that the evidence for the existence of any sort of empirically discernible code of ethics is extremely weak. Not quite swaying him to ethical nihilism (pretty much my position), but closer than I thought I'd get him.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Easy E wrote:
In real life, people aren't as stubborn as they are online.

Nah, they're still pretty stubborn, they just aren't as willing to keep up an argument.

Either way, the reality is that most deeply contentious issues aren't terribly relevant to day-to-day life. You're probably not going to lose a friend because he find out you're Keynesian, and if you are its because said friend is a douche.

I got my older brother to respect religon from saying it is immature not to be an athiest.

dogma wrote:

Clthomps wrote:
So my question is, can you recall a time when you actually changed the mind of someone that was diametrically opposed to your view?

I've changed plenty of mind, but never really convinced anyone that my views are correct, because I don't usually argue from my views.

I'd say the best I've been able to do in terms of swaying someone to my perspective was in a debate over ethics in which I was able to persuade a staunch conservative Christian that the evidence for the existence of any sort of empirically discernible code of ethics is extremely weak. Not quite swaying him to ethical nihilism (pretty much my position), but closer than I thought I'd get him.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Easy E wrote:
In real life, people aren't as stubborn as they are online.

Nah, they're still pretty stubborn, they just aren't as willing to keep up an argument.

Either way, the reality is that most deeply contentious issues aren't terribly relevant to day-to-day life. You're probably not going to lose a friend because he find out you're Keynesian, and if you are its because said friend is a douche.

Dogma is very good at changing reasonable peoples minds...

That's really only because truly reasonable people don't believe in anything, at least, not in any fixed way.

Seriously, 'amoral jerk-off' is the way to go. It's worked for me my whole life

I got a few people who hated the idea of "my little pony: friendship is magic" to watch a few episodes....now they love it XD

though in general I find shouting in a loud voice helps to bring people to my point of veiw :3

Albatross wrote:That's really only because truly reasonable people don't believe in anything, at least, not in any fixed way.

Seriously, 'amoral jerk-off' is the way to go. It's worked for me my whole life

I agree with this sentiment for the most part except for one thing, mainstream American music is fething terrible and nothing anyone says can get me to change my mind about that.

Amaya wrote:

Albatross wrote:That's really only because truly reasonable people don't believe in anything, at least, not in any fixed way.

Seriously, 'amoral jerk-off' is the way to go. It's worked for me my whole life

I agree with this sentiment for the most part except for one thing, mainstream American music is fething terrible

Yes, yes it IS terrible.

Yeah I sang this.

Never said goodbye To the life we left behind Well, I knew the life to come scared like me The night held secrets untold Months to follow to unfold The child that came was truly meant to be You're far away So far away But you're far away So far away Afraid we won't survive I'm afraid I won't provide It's how I really felt till I met you But you're far away So far away But you're far away So far away But you're far away So far away But you're far away So far away

I was given a bet. "Convince me." Because they told me there is no possible way that they would never ever cry to a song or music. Period!
Well. He did.
I convinced someone that I micro evolved my neck after wearing turtle necks for so long.

Amaya wrote:

Albatross wrote:That's really only because truly reasonable people don't believe in anything, at least, not in any fixed way.

Seriously, 'amoral jerk-off' is the way to go. It's worked for me my whole life

I agree with this sentiment for the most part except for one thing, mainstream American music is fething terrible and nothing anyone says can get me to change my mind about that.

Manowar

Asherian Command wrote:Yeah I sang this.

Never said goodbye To the life we left behind Well, I knew the life to come scared like me The night held secrets untold Months to follow to unfold The child that came was truly meant to be You're far away So far away But you're far away So far away Afraid we won't survive I'm afraid I won't provide It's how I really felt till I met you But you're far away So far away But you're far away So far away But you're far away So far away But you're far away So far away

I was given a bet. "Convince me." Because they told me there is no possible way that they would never ever cry to a song or music. Period!
Well. He did.
I convinced someone that I micro evolved my neck after wearing turtle necks for so long.

A much sadder and more moving song...

Clthomps wrote: It seem that even with a truckload of scientific data, some people still don't believe in it,

Actually the truckload of scientific data seems to debunk GW these days. From big things like the CO2 emanations of all the world's termites dwarfs industrial human output to little things like 'global warming' has now morphed into 'climate change' because so many areas are cooling down.