Did you ever change your mind on Boards or did someone change yours?

steddyeddy · 25-06-2015 01:12AM #1

Mine was changed with respect to free fees for third level by someone who I felt made a good argument. I think I changed someone's mind with regards something sciencey but can't remember what.

Did you ever see someone change their mind with regards to entrenched issues like vaccination or homosexuality?

sdanseo · 25-06-2015 01:14AM

I'd like to think that if you're open to debate and sensible discussion on boards you're here to gain knowledge as well as empart it (or spout shíte, although we're all guilty of that from time to time). For some that knowledge will change opinion, I know for me it has.

I would probably have voted no in the recent referendum if it weren't for this particular subforum.

Peregrine · 25-06-2015 02:15AM

I used to be religious when I joined. Boards and some other things made me less and less religious and I eventually admitted to myself than I'm an atheist. Kind of related but it also changed my mind on homosexuality and abortion.

beks101 · 25-06-2015 02:54AM

Can't think of any specific examples, but it's definitely made me more aware of the various sides to every argument.

I'll often be halfway through writing a post and realize, 'nah, that's bullsh1t Beks' and then I'll change direction entirely on the subject and my post won't remotely resemble the one I began writing.

Or I'll write something, post it, and then pick apart my own post with a "maybe, but what about..." for virtually every single point I made. There'll often be another boardsie to help me disagree with myself too - probably the reason why I developed this weird and annoying habit in the first place

Robsweezie · 25-06-2015 03:05AM

beks101 wrote:

I'll often be halfway through writing a post and realize, 'nah, that's bullsh1t Beks' and then I'll change direction entirely on the subject and my post won't remotely resemble the one I began writing.

Fair play for admitting that and showing at least some humility, it's a lost concept on so many posters where they essentially use their opinions as sticks to beat others with. "my opinion is better than yours!!!" "why" because I said So!!" and they get sarky when people don't agree with them.

El Weirdo · 25-06-2015 08:45AM

No fucking way.

Once I dig a trench, I'm damn well staying in it.

Menas · 25-06-2015 08:57AM

Yeah, I can change my mind if presented with a good rational argument.
Except for Fluoride !!!

One eyed Jack · 25-06-2015 09:16AM

steddyeddy wrote: »

Mine was changed with respect to free fees for third level by someone who I felt made a good argument. I think I changed someone's mind with regards something sciencey but can't remember what.

Did you ever see someone change their mind with regards to entrenched issues like vaccination or homosexuality?

Yup, you did indeed, that was me

Taught me all about anthropomorphism, interesting stuff, so I was paying attention! :pac:

Yeah, loads of people have changed my mind about various issues on Boards, or given me a different perspective or more information or whatever. It's like Rob says above, when you can put across your point of view in a way that isn't meant to be condescending or sarky or smart, or trying to talk over people's heads, people respond better and are more interested in listening and understanding

Akrasia · 25-06-2015 09:20AM

I joined Boards.ie 11 years ago and since then, my opinions on a lot of things have changed and Boards.ie probably played a role in many of these changes.

I used to be a lot more credulous, I used to believe in some conspiracies but being forced to argue a point makes it harder to keep believing in things that aren't true.

I've always tried to be honest in the sources that I use. If someone demonstrates to me that something I said isn't true, I genuinely try to acknowledge this and not make that same point again. Eventually, if I'm wrong, I'll run out of arguments and will change my mind.

This, unfortunately, isn't true for everyone. Some of the true believers out there will repeat the same arguments over and over no matter how many times they've been defeated.

Aongus Von Bismarck · 25-06-2015 10:24AM

Yes. I've seen some suggestions in the Food and Drink forum that first had me thinking "what sort of terrible madness has them suggesting that combination of ingredients?".

Then I'll try some of them and be pleasantly surprised. A shaving of top-class dark chocolate on a fresh beetroot and goat cheese salad proved to be an extraordinary success. Especially paired with a nice soft Bordeaux.

When it comes to people's opinions on things like politics and economics - absolutely not. I've had the pleasure of seeing people like Jean-Claude Juncker, Jean-Claude Trichet and even Joseph Stiglitz give speeches and discuss the financial crisis. I'd rather their opinion than that of some spotty Business Studies student living in a flat in Carlow.

Reoil · 25-06-2015 11:35AM

Yes, I now assume that most people are twats unless proven otherwise.

mad muffin · 25-06-2015 11:40AM

Yes. No. Maybe.

DareGod · 25-06-2015 11:51AM

No, but only because I don't have the patience to read long posts these days, so, I don't engage in debates.

But from what I've witnessed in the past, it's extremely rare for anybody to admit that they've change their mind in the middle of an internet argument. Fair play to anybody who admits to "being wrong" or changing their mind, coz very few have the balls to.

IamtooGoode · 25-06-2015 12:00PM

I listen to other peoples arguments alright but cant remember being swayed fully. I remember a Moderator stating that it is silly to respect other peoples opinions that you respect other people not their opinions blah blah blah and my opinion that all moderators are infallible came crumbling down that day… they later quietly removed their post , I guess given that most boards as a rule state that other people's opinions should be respected …

ancapailldorcha · 25-06-2015 12:03PM

Definitely. Sites like this enable discourse between people of all walks of life. I can definitely say that it's had a positive contribution to my life and my outlook on life in general.

Maximus Alexander · 25-06-2015 12:04PM

More than anything I think Boards makes me think about why I think things. Debates that I read or get involved with on here expose gaps in my knowledge, or get me thinking about the source of my opinions.

Once you realise you might be wrong about something, or that your basis for thinking it is weak, how could you not want to correct that? I'll often go away and do some further reading and re-evaluate my position. I might come back to the same conclusion afterwards, or I might not, but either way I get a more robust and justifable view of the situation.

So yeah, I guess people on Boards have changed my mind about things. Or at the very least, led to me changing it.

steddyeddy · 25-06-2015 12:13PM

A lot of posters find it hard to change opinions on things publicly. Part of the problem IMO is what happens when posters do change their mind. Some posters see it as an oppertunity to gloat and go "see you were wrong"!!! The poster that convinced me I was wrong about something was Jank. After I said "fair enough I see your point" he didn't go out of his way to gloat.

steddyeddy · 25-06-2015 12:22PM

BRL Swap wrote: »

Many of the world's problems would dissappear if people realised it's on to be wrong. It doesn't diminish you.

Indeed, quite the opposite actually.

IamtooGoode · 25-06-2015 12:25PM

steddyeddy wrote: »

Indeed, quite the opposite actually.

We learn from our mistakes, humility is admitting to them.

steddyeddy · 25-06-2015 12:28PM

IamtooGoode wrote: »

We learn from our mistakes, humility is admitting to them.

I worked with two scientists. One who had a great career and the other who didn't and was bitter about it. The first could admit mistakes when they were pointed out to him the one who couldn't handle being called wrong kept going in the wrong direction. If you want to get the best out of any situation in life admit you're wrong from time to time. The people who gloat aren't worth it and generally won't learn.

Buona Fortuna · 25-06-2015 12:32PM

In the past I hated the whole idea of paying for water. Now the more the Perrier.:D

steddyeddy · 25-06-2015 12:33PM

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

In the past I hated the whole idea of paying for water. Now the more the Perrier.:D

Get your coat.....

Chancer3001 · 25-06-2015 12:37PM

I used to take cyclone protein after working out.

Afyer posting in health and fitness for a while I wouldn't touch it now.

osarusan · 25-06-2015 12:41PM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

More than anything I think Boards makes me think about why I think things. Debates that I read or get involved with on here expose gaps in my knowledge, or get me thinking about the source of my opinions.

Once you realise you might be wrong about something, or that your basis for thinking it is weak, how could you not want to correct that? I'll often go away and do some further reading and re-evaluate my position. I might come back to the same conclusion afterwards, or I might not, but either way I get a more robust and justifable view of the situation.

This for me too.

If I'm trying to put into words what I actually think about something, and can't write something that I feel will actually convince another poster to at least take my point seriously, I'll end up questioning whether or not my opinion is on solid ground.

steddyeddy · 25-06-2015 12:44PM

Chancer3001 wrote: »

I used to take cyclone protein after working out.

Afyer posting in health and fitness for a while I wouldn't touch it now.

Is that because it has creatine in it?

ancapailldorcha · 25-06-2015 12:50PM

It's probably a waste of money unless you're training very hard in a specific manner.

the_monkey · 25-06-2015 12:50PM

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Yes. I've seen some suggestions in the Food and Drink forum that first had me thinking "what sort of terrible madness has them suggesting that combination of ingredients?".

Then I'll try some of them and be pleasantly surprised. A shaving of top-class dark chocolate on a fresh beetroot and goat cheese salad proved to be an extraordinary success. Especially paired with a nice soft Bordeaux.

When it comes to people's opinions on things like politics and economics - absolutely not. I've had the pleasure of seeing people like Jean-Claude Juncker, Jean-Claude Trichet and even Joseph Stiglitz give speeches and discuss the financial crisis. I'd rather their opinion than that of some spotty Business Studies student living in a flat in Carlow.

What a troll ..

Akrasia · 25-06-2015 12:54PM

IamtooGoode wrote: »

I listen to other peoples arguments alright but cant remember being swayed fully. I remember a Moderator stating that it is silly to respect other peoples opinions that you respect other people not their opinions blah blah blah and my opinion that all moderators are infallible came crumbling down that day… they later quietly removed their post , I guess given that most boards as a rule state that other people's opinions should be respected …

I respect people too much to pander to their stupid uninformed opinion

Obviously, there are disrespectful ways of communicating with people which one should avoid, but one is not obliged to respect opinions. Not all opinions are worthy of respect.

Medusa22 · 25-06-2015 01:12PM

When I first joined boards I was more argumentative and I would get a bit defensive if someone questioned something that I said. Now I try to think about why I feel a certain way about a topic and I also try to see an argument from other perspectives that I get here on boards. I like to read about other peoples' opinions and points of view, and I don't automatically react like a bull to a red flag anymore, I think I'm a bit more balanced and level headed now and other posters have definitely given me insight into different topics that I wouldn't have had and they have changed my mind on certain things, or at least softened my stance. Though sometimes I don't like to admit it at the time :pac:

25-06-2015 01:32PM

I can't think of anything offhand, but I'm sure theres been more than one occasion.

One thing I've noticed here is that many people have trouble admitting not only that they're wrong, but that they don't know something. People will pretend in depth knowledge of a subject rather than just say they don't know. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen and I find it puzzling. Half the stuff I've learned, I've learned because I've said 'I don't know' and someone who does will inform me. Pretending you know something is just a missed opportunity to know it for real.

I have a lot of time for people who can hold their hands up when they're wrong without feeling it diminishes them, a lot of time for people who can be open to correction and see it as a positive thing.

I'm not sure I've expressed that very well, but hopefully you'll know what I mean.

Buona Fortuna · 25-06-2015 01:43PM

Candie wrote: »

I'm not sure I've expressed that very well, but hopefully you'll know what I mean.

Well even I got it so it must be good.

I do find more that I don't go from Black to White, but more to a varying shade of grey.

An example, a couple of months back was the thing about incest. I was always against because potential defects in children and coercion, and so on.

A poster pointed out that supposing it was a same sex relationship and there was no risk of coercion. Waivering

Then someone else pointed out that you could never marry your mother in law. Now I have to say thank fcuk - but if some nutcase wants to why should it be illegal?

Now I'm somewhere in the grey shades on the issue.

Did you ever change your mind on Boards or did someone change yours?

Comments