Has Anyone Ever Changed Their Position On A Subject Due To Forum Debate?

[Gidget]

Just curious. I mean we go round and round about anything from dogs on the beach to current politics.

I can say that I have certainly come around to other ideas or at the very least an understanding as to why someone might feel a certain way. (especially the Walmart thread)

Just curious how you all feel and what your experiences have been.

G

 

[sunspotbaby]

I can't think of anything specific, but when i started reading this forum I was new to the area so it helped me understand the beach issues, local government, and the cool places to go.

 

[Linda]

Just curious. I mean we go round and round about anything from dogs on the beach to current politics.

I can say that I have certainly come around to other ideas or at the very least an understanding as to why someone might feel a certain way. (especially the Walmart thread)

Just curious how you all feel and what your experiences have been.

G

Yes - I used to be in favor of "drill baby drill". I thought that the potential damage to the beach was over blown by the environmentalists. After reading the Sowal threads (especially the posts by Dave R.) I have changed my position.

 

[Teresa]

Yes - I used to be in favor of "drill baby drill". I thought that the potential damage to the beach was over blown by the environmentalists. After reading the Sowal threads (especially the posts by Dave R.) I have changed my position.

that's so cool. and its wonderful to share ideas and information on issues.

YES Gidget! I have changed my position on MANY issues due to reading so many others ideas and hearing their logic and seeing their very timely links to sources (good sources). Sometimes I have not changed my position but I gain a greater understanding of the other side of the issue. Sometimes I change my position slightly. Sometimes I am aghast at a debate and just cannot get the other side of the issue at all. But mostly this is what I have learned from all the debates:

issues are never black and white. they are complex.
each person is correct in his/her belief and opinion because their perceptions are shaped by their lives, their upbringing, their environment, etc.
most people are genuinely good and have the best intentions - just because they are on the other side of the fence on an issue does not mean they are really different from you.

Mainly I have learned that you must respect all opinions and try not to put negative labels on people - especially people here. I think we have all learned something about the fine art of debate. We aren't perfect debaters by any means. But, I think most have learned about the importance of respect, humor, and maintaining friendships - these things are more important than any issue we have ever discussed.

Unfortunately, some debates turn into battles and personal attacks. Most of us experience this and get drawn into quite negative interaction. But we definitely learn from that as well. We learn that we are letting our ego/ahole self take over. and that we need to remember who we are and do our best to be our best.

yes, I've learned a GREAT deal. and I have seen many others do the same.

 

[Lynnie]

Well stated, Tootsie!

 

[scooterbug44]

It's rare for me to do a full 180 on something I feel strongly about, but there have definitely been a couple times where other Sowallers have shown me I was completely wrong about something or made such a good rational argument I had to reexamine my position.

Frequently I find out a great deal more about a topic, understand more about the differing viewpoints, and get the whole picture instead of just the "sound bite" version.

Also find it to be a good reality check on what is really going on to hear from different people who have different sources of info and other ideas and perspectives.

A lot of times I will ask Sowal about a topic because it is so truly strange to me that people actually think/act like that I really just don't understand it - it's like they are telling me the sun rises in the west.

 

[Andy A]

that's so cool. and its wonderful to share ideas and information on issues.

YES Gidget! I have changed my position on MANY issues due to reading so many others ideas and hearing their logic and seeing their very timely links to sources (good sources). Sometimes I have not changed my position but I gain a greater understanding of the other side of the issue. Sometimes I change my position slightly. Sometimes I am aghast at a debate and just cannot get the other side of the issue at all. But mostly this is what I have learned from all the debates:

issues are never black and white. they are complex.
each person is correct in his/her belief and opinion because their perceptions are shaped by their lives, their upbringing, their environment, etc.
most people are genuinely good and have the best intentions - just because they are on the other side of the fence on an issue does not mean they are really different from you.

Mainly I have learned that you must respect all opinions and try not to put negative labels on people - especially people here. I think we have all learned something about the fine art of debate. We aren't perfect debaters by any means. But, I think most have learned about the importance of respect, humor, and maintaining friendships - these things are more important than any issue we have ever discussed.

Unfortunately, some debates turn into battles and personal attacks. Most of us experience this and get drawn into quite negative interaction. But we definitely learn from that as well. We learn that we are letting our ego/ahole self take over. and that we need to remember who we are and do our best to be our best.

yes, I've learned a GREAT deal. and I have seen many others do the same.

This is truly a magnificent and wonderful analysis of what occurs on SoWal. My wife now says I spend waay to much time here but I do enjoy the "give and take". My opinion has been changed on a few issues, usually of a local nature, but I will admit to being pretty well anchored in my observations and opinions. I have tried to tone down my rhetoric but sometimes I fail and its usually due to the fact that someone has said something I find completely out of line where I am concerned. SoWal is a great website but I almost quit posting at 2000 because of the snarkiness. I realize I can be that way, too, so I will keep at it and enjoy the ride.

 

[DuneAHH]

Gidget... Really good thread topic!

 

[rapunzel]

I can't say it's ever caused me to changed positions on something I have taken the time to research and understand beforehand, but it's helped me form opinions on a lot of things I hadn't thought deeply about -- and it's definitely kept me from going to the default position I would probably have taken had I not looked into the issue a little deeper.

The wonderful thing about SoWal, though, is that it brings issues to my attention -- particularly local issues -- that I never would have noticed. A good example of this is the whole Chamber take over of the office of Economic Development and the TDC. I still don't have an opinion on the subject. I do have a smell test reaction, but I keep hoping more people will post on the subject so that I can get a sense of the who and why behind the what.

I think SoWal is a great bit of sunshine on local government.

 

[Teresa]

I can't say it's ever caused me to changed positions on something I have taken the time to research and understand beforehand, but it's helped me form opinions on a lot of things I hadn't thought deeply about -- and it's definitely kept me from going to the default position I would probably have taken had I not looked into the issue a little deeper.

The wonderful thing about SoWal, though, is that it brings issues to my attention -- particularly local issues -- that I never would have noticed. A good example of this is the whole Chamber take over of the office of Economic Development and the TDC. I still don't have an opinion on the subject. I do have a smell test reaction, but I keep hoping more people will post on the subject so that I can get a sense of the who and why behind the what.

I think SoWal is a great bit of sunshine on local government.

great point punzy. I learn about most local info here on SoWal. I've never seen local news TV, I don't look at the newspapers except a weekly glimpse of two very local papers.

There are many issues, local and otherwise, that I had not taken the time to examine before they were discussed at length here. I like to jump in sometimes, and sometimes I just watch. in any event, there is something to learn nearly every day.