Is there any point to the majority of these threads?

[Napalm]

First let me preface with: this is not a judgement, but an observation...

It seems that most of the people in here are either staunch conservative or liberals. Further, it appears that most people are not really interested in open dialogue/debate but rather have their own political agenda (Bush is stupid - which he is - or Kerry is a phony - which he is...). As such, this forum cannot really be used to explore your political beliefs or to change people's opinions since it is frequented by those who too strongly hold these beliefs and opinions.

Let me tackle this with a question: Has anything you have read in this forum changed your mind in terms of your political, social or economic convictions? If you're like me, no. So then, why do we bother posting?

N

 

[tnitsuj]

because we have nothing better to do??

 

[conjur]

Anyone else see the irony in this thread?

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Napalm
First let me preface with: this is not a judgement, but an observation...

It seems that most of the people in here are either staunch conservative or liberals. Further, it appears that most people are not really interested in open dialogue/debate but rather have their own political agenda (Bush is stupid - which he is - or Kerry is a phony - which he is...). As such, this forum cannot really be used to explore your political beliefs or to change people's opinions since it is frequented by those who too strongly hold these beliefs and opinions.

Let me tackle this with a question: Has anything you have read in this forum changed your mind in terms of your political, social or economic convictions? If you're like me, no. So then, why do we bother posting?

N

[ATOT]
QUIT POSTING
[/ATOT]



It's made me rethink why I support or don't support some issues but has it directly changed my stance on an issue - not really.

CkG

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

[ATOT]
QUIT POSTING
[/ATOT]



It's made me rethink why I support or don't support some issues but has it directly changed my stance on an issue - not really.

CkG

Actually, its stop posting. Also accepted are "stop breathing" and "st@b yourself".

 

[lozina]

:camera:'s or ban

 

[DoubleL]

No it is Just to spread hate and try to start a fight, Seems the only way to have it is to have two one for Rep. and one for Dem. and then people could talk without all the hate, I would like to see a Veterans thread but on AnandTech I know that would never happen

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: Napalm
First let me preface with: this is not a judgement, but an observation...

It seems that most of the people in here are either staunch conservative or liberals. Further, it appears that most people are not really interested in open dialogue/debate but rather have their own political agenda (Bush is stupid - which he is - or Kerry is a phony - which he is...). As such, this forum cannot really be used to explore your political beliefs or to change people's opinions since it is frequented by those who too strongly hold these beliefs and opinions.

Let me tackle this with a question: Has anything you have read in this forum changed your mind in terms of your political, social or economic convictions? If you're like me, no. So then, why do we bother posting?

N

Actually, yes. This forum has indeed opened my eyes on many issues.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

[ATOT]
QUIT POSTING
[/ATOT]



It's made me rethink why I support or don't support some issues but has it directly changed my stance on an issue - not really.

CkG

Actually, its stop posting. Also accepted are "stop breathing" and "st@b yourself".

Sorry, i'm not an ATOTer.

CkG

 

[Napalm]

Quote

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Napalm
Has anything you have read in this forum changed your mind in terms of your political, social or economic convictions? If you're like me, no. So then, why do we bother posting?

N
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually, yes. This forum has indeed opened my eyes on many issues.

Care to elaborate?

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: Napalm

Care to elaborate?

Sure.

The Palestinian question, socio-political perceptions of the Iraq conflict, various shortcomings of the POTUS/VPOTUS, partisanship and polarization, electronic voting, and conspiracy theories.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: burnedout

Originally posted by: Napalm
First let me preface with: this is not a judgement, but an observation...

It seems that most of the people in here are either staunch conservative or liberals. Further, it appears that most people are not really interested in open dialogue/debate but rather have their own political agenda (Bush is stupid - which he is - or Kerry is a phony - which he is...). As such, this forum cannot really be used to explore your political beliefs or to change people's opinions since it is frequented by those who too strongly hold these beliefs and opinions.

Let me tackle this with a question: Has anything you have read in this forum changed your mind in terms of your political, social or economic convictions? If you're like me, no. So then, why do we bother posting?

N

Actually, yes. This forum has indeed opened my eyes on many issues.

Me too. I agree it is difficult to start and sustain an informative discussion, but constructive ideas slip in every now and then.

For myself, I acknowledge more benefit from the Iraq invasion than I did initially, though it has not changed my overall belief it was wrong. I recently learned quite a bit about Moore's Bowling for Columbine that raised many questions in my mind. I need to watch it again before I reach any conclusions, but I suspect I gave it more credit than it deserves. I no longer cite the movie as accurate pending this. I know I have shifted my opinions on other issues based on information gleaned here, but I can't think of other examples off the top of my head.


Edit: one more - burnedout offered fascinating analysis on parallels (and not) between Hitler's rise to power and Bush

 

[burnedout]

Believe it or not, Bowfinger, you really opened my eyes about electronic voting. Ya didn't see me rant in any of those theads, did ya?

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: burnedout
Believe it or not, Bowfinger, you really opened my eyes about electronic voting. Ya didn't see me rant in any of those theads, did ya?

Cool. I know some people here thought it was just another anti-Republican attack, but that was never my intent. I'm seriously, non-partisanly (?) concerned about the integrity of the process.

 

[cjgallen]

I can't believe you didn't make a poll.

 

[SuperTool]

I think CAD changed his mind and agrees with me that Bush sucks teh big one.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I think CAD changed his mind and agrees with me that Bush sucks teh big one.

And he also seems to recognize now that "Bush is a disaster!"

 

[Orsorum]

A great big *huggles* to you all.

Now only if Fausto had not stolen my thong earlier.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I think CAD changed his mind and agrees with me that Bush sucks teh big one.

And he also seems to recognize now that "Bush is a disaster!"

Yeah, and I started hugging trees too.

CkG

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I think CAD changed his mind and agrees with me that Bush sucks teh big one.

And he also seems to recognize now that "Bush is a disaster!"

Yeah, and I started hugging trees too.

CkG

And I started to 'thin' the trees in my neighbor's yard to help prevent forest fires. He oughta be thanking me any day now...

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: lozina

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I think CAD changed his mind and agrees with me that Bush sucks teh big one.

And he also seems to recognize now that "Bush is a disaster!"

Yeah, and I started hugging trees too.

CkG

And I started to 'thin' the trees in my neighbor's yard to help prevent forest fires. He oughta be thanking me any day now...

Thanks I was too lazy to cut them down myself and too cheap to pay someone to do it. Looks like you saved me the hassle.

CkG

 

[fwtong]

Originally posted by: Napalm
First let me preface with: this is not a judgement, but an observation...

It seems that most of the people in here are either staunch conservative or liberals. Further, it appears that most people are not really interested in open dialogue/debate but rather have their own political agenda (Bush is stupid - which he is - or Kerry is a phony - which he is...). As such, this forum cannot really be used to explore your political beliefs or to change people's opinions since it is frequented by those who too strongly hold these beliefs and opinions.

Let me tackle this with a question: Has anything you have read in this forum changed your mind in terms of your political, social or economic convictions? If you're like me, no. So then, why do we bother posting?

N

No, as in there is no point.

 

[zantac]

I'd say no. The majority of them are the same topic revisted consistently.

 

[BugsBunny1078]

Well, we may not be able to convince the majority of people on the forum of our views but we can use the forum to hone our arguments and convince our easily manipulated co-workers.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: BugsBunny1078
Well, we may not be able to convince the majority of people on the forum of our views but we can use the forum to hone our arguments and convince our easily manipulated co-workers.

Hehe