Real life isn’t a movie where one “perfect” debate changes the fundamental thoughts and feelings of a person. It CAN happen but is rarer than it taking many instances and perhaps never fully changing a mind as much as it shifts their views to a more moderate place. That said, internet debate may not always be constructive at all. When two people debate there is generally a human desire to “save face” or “win” as opposed to discovery and testing of theory. On the internet there is a very large and often public audience that can enhance this desire and cause people to entrench themselves in a way of thinking for the sake of pride. People must be mindful of what they say as well since anyone an see it, and it is essentially permanent and thus open to future criticism or misinterpretation. Is online debate pointless? No. Is it always best versus simply agreeing to disagree? No.
Nah this guy I went to high school with was post super racist stuff on facebook and it was terrible so I unfriended them. There was nothing you could do to get through to this person. When you know it's wrong but nothing will change their mind, it's time to just move forward.
My own father is a racist, homophobic, gun-loving, sexist, religious fanatic, abuser. When I finally had the courage to call him out on his bullshit he defended himself and said it was his “God given right!” We no longer speak. And I am SO okay with that.
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