In person or online. Most entertaining thing to argue about? What gets you the most heated?

  • CombatWombat@feddit.online
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    4 days ago

    Hypothetically, yes. Practically, no. Arguing is fun and engaging when you have a sparring partner who is sharp, engaged, and persuadable. If changing someone’s mind isn’t on the table, or if all you’re capable of doing is poorly repeating memes and headlines you’ve seen, I’m not interested.

    • PoorYorick@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      Exactly. Presenting arguments in good faith with people who are willing to accept objective views and valid factual information can be thrilling and present opportunity to learn about your own belief systems.

      In practice, though, it is such a rare occurrence that you are mostly just better off banging your head against a wall.

  • magnetosphere@fedia.io
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    4 days ago

    Not really. I can enjoy a debate, IF the other person is doing so in good faith. Challenging, enlightening discussions are always welcome!

    Generally speaking, if one of us can’t “agree to disagree” and happily change the subject, then it won’t be a good time.

  • Ada@piefed.blahaj.zone
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    4 days ago

    I used to, when I used to believe people could change their minds in response to a good argument. Now that I realise no one ever changes their mind because of an argument, I no longer enjoy it. Now I mostly see it as a self reinforcing public display of affiliation

    • Mothra@mander.xyz
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      4 days ago

      I’d say it is very unlikely someone will change their mind because of an argument. But it is likely that someone will change their mind after several arguments, and some reflection. It may take years. This person may not see things the same way you do once they change, but they may change some of their views.

      • Ada@piefed.blahaj.zone
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        4 days ago

        People do change their mind over time, but not from repeated exposure to arguments. That tends to have the opposite effect, and causes people to consolidate and solidify their position.

        What gets them to change the opinion is varied, but it’s rarely “lots of arguments”

        • Mothra@mander.xyz
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          4 days ago

          I’m not saying someone changes solely because of lots of arguments. Or repeated exposure, which I agree, are more likely to cement a position if they are essentially the same argument over and over. But arguments in general add to whatever experiences eventually change someone’s mind. Just another factor.

          • Ada@piefed.blahaj.zone
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            4 days ago

            Fair, but I would put it under the umbrella of “social pushback”. When someone gets enough signalling from the people around them, either at large, or just in their communities and sub communities, they can shift from their opinions. But I don’t think arguing holds a special power there. Just telling someone their opinion is harmful and you don’t want to hear it has the same effect in the long term

  • LeapSecond@lemmy.zip
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    4 days ago

    Arguments are fun when they’re just civilized disagreements about inconsequential things. Like, architectural decisions at work are always interesting cause you may learn a thing or two and it doesn’t matter if you don’t convince others, it’s not your product. Actual heated arguments, I tend to stay away from.

  • Zagam@piefed.social
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    4 days ago

    I used to. I’m an old school troll. I enjoy messing with people and teasing. If I can make things difficult or awkward for someone, then get both of us to laugh about it, I’m in heaven. But over the last couple of decades people take themselves more seriously or something and its harder to get people to be silly or appreciate the absurd. People don’t enjoy it any more so I stopped doing it. I don’t want to get people actually mad, or have them be truly upset. But yeah, I’d argue just about anything to get someone going. I’d get more and more outrageous till they finally twigged what I was doing. Then I’d do the same thing to the next person but take a different stance. Usually the first person would join in and it would just snowball.

  • HubertManne@piefed.social
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    4 days ago

    As in debate? I used to but I have less patience for it now. Its possible because I did so much of it I tire of rehashing things with folks who have not as thoroughly gone through the many things. I still am a little obsessed with the idea of truth though.

  • Lemminary@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    I don’t mind arguing, but it’s fueled by my undying rage at dumbfuck assholes. Pick a lane! Sheesh.

  • TaterTot@piefed.social
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    4 days ago

    I enjoy it when I find out I was wrong. That moment of “oh shit!?” is awesome.

    I also really enjoy arguing pedantically over fictional worlds.