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Tips on Successful Online Debate
7 years ago
✧✦ REQUIEM BEATZ! ✦✧
got somethin' to say!Working online, I see a LOT of people engaging in political/social discourse and someone ending up wondering why they keep getting blocked. I myself tend to have a lot of viewpoints that catch people off guard, and rub them the wrong way, yet find myself seldom blocked by people I've engaged in discussions with.
For starters, I'd like to define "successful debate" as two people going into a conversation, both people walking away more educated (either with factual evidence or a new perspective), and the means to further discussion still open.
Changing somebodies mind is not what I consider a successful debate, so if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the source.
1. If you are expecting to change someone's mind, be willing to change your own.
This is probably the most common mistake I see people make when they go into a discussion with someone, an unwillingness to accept that, maybe, just maybe, you're wrong.
A lot of people seem to forget that you are just as human as your opposition, therefore, just as prone to erroneous thinking and flawed logic. If you go in with an unwillingness to admit your point of view is flawed, you are sending a message that you believe yourself to be inherently superior to your opposition, which isn't exactly going to make them think you're somebody worth listening to. Arrogance is a quick way to make someone think you're not capable of a productive conversation.
For particularly stubborn individuals, a good question to ask yourself is "Can they change my mind?" If the answer is no, don't try to change theirs.
Seeking to put have your viewpoint hold the high ground as you bestow it onto another is called preaching. This isn't necessarily bad, if you are putting forth the message within a place of your own dominion for others to receive at their discretion. But generally speaking, if someone's looking for a discussion, preachiness is just obnoxious.
2. Ad Hominem, big, big nono.
When you're debating, don't make it personal. Do not denounce somebodies opinion/statement on an irrelevant factor such as their gender, race, sexuality, disability, intelligence, personality, etc.
If someone's point is objectively flawed, you will be able to make this apparent with fact and logic, and will not have to resort to your perception of the knowledge their personal traits grant them. "You wouldn't understand, you're a woman/white/black/queer/stupid" will not make somebody go "oooh yeah I see your point". It'll just piss them off, and it's all a downward spiral once people get pissed.
Also, do not assume that because somebody has biases that their point of view is invalid or illogical. Just because somebody was abused does not mean they cannot factually gather evidence on abuse. Just because somebody is black does not mean they cannot gather evidence of racial oppression. Just because somebody is a man does not mean they cannot gather evidence of male issues.
Somebody being emotionally invested in their point does not mean that the evidence that gather is any less, or any more valid. The evidence's relevance to a statement is not dependent on who speaks it.
3. If you get out of line, admit it, and withdraw from the discussion.
This has happened for myself. I get fumed and irritable because the discussion is hitting close to home. On a couple occasions, I've ended up in the ad hominem department.
How did I handle it? I apologized for getting out of line, let them know I wouldn't be continuing the discussion, and thanked them for the discussion.
It's inevitable when we discuss things that are important to us, feelings will occasionally run hot. Combine this with a rough day, multiple discussions going on, or a lapse of judgement, and those feelings will overcome us. This is natural, and okay, but the important thing here is recognizing when it happens and withdrawing to avoid any further damage.
These tips may be only a few, but they're principles I feel are highly effective when talking to other people. I hope they give you some direction or are a decent catalyst for personal reflection c:
For starters, I'd like to define "successful debate" as two people going into a conversation, both people walking away more educated (either with factual evidence or a new perspective), and the means to further discussion still open.
Changing somebodies mind is not what I consider a successful debate, so if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the source.
1. If you are expecting to change someone's mind, be willing to change your own.
This is probably the most common mistake I see people make when they go into a discussion with someone, an unwillingness to accept that, maybe, just maybe, you're wrong.
A lot of people seem to forget that you are just as human as your opposition, therefore, just as prone to erroneous thinking and flawed logic. If you go in with an unwillingness to admit your point of view is flawed, you are sending a message that you believe yourself to be inherently superior to your opposition, which isn't exactly going to make them think you're somebody worth listening to. Arrogance is a quick way to make someone think you're not capable of a productive conversation.
For particularly stubborn individuals, a good question to ask yourself is "Can they change my mind?" If the answer is no, don't try to change theirs.
Seeking to put have your viewpoint hold the high ground as you bestow it onto another is called preaching. This isn't necessarily bad, if you are putting forth the message within a place of your own dominion for others to receive at their discretion. But generally speaking, if someone's looking for a discussion, preachiness is just obnoxious.
2. Ad Hominem, big, big nono.
When you're debating, don't make it personal. Do not denounce somebodies opinion/statement on an irrelevant factor such as their gender, race, sexuality, disability, intelligence, personality, etc.
If someone's point is objectively flawed, you will be able to make this apparent with fact and logic, and will not have to resort to your perception of the knowledge their personal traits grant them. "You wouldn't understand, you're a woman/white/black/queer/stupid" will not make somebody go "oooh yeah I see your point". It'll just piss them off, and it's all a downward spiral once people get pissed.
Also, do not assume that because somebody has biases that their point of view is invalid or illogical. Just because somebody was abused does not mean they cannot factually gather evidence on abuse. Just because somebody is black does not mean they cannot gather evidence of racial oppression. Just because somebody is a man does not mean they cannot gather evidence of male issues.
Somebody being emotionally invested in their point does not mean that the evidence that gather is any less, or any more valid. The evidence's relevance to a statement is not dependent on who speaks it.
3. If you get out of line, admit it, and withdraw from the discussion.
This has happened for myself. I get fumed and irritable because the discussion is hitting close to home. On a couple occasions, I've ended up in the ad hominem department.
How did I handle it? I apologized for getting out of line, let them know I wouldn't be continuing the discussion, and thanked them for the discussion.
It's inevitable when we discuss things that are important to us, feelings will occasionally run hot. Combine this with a rough day, multiple discussions going on, or a lapse of judgement, and those feelings will overcome us. This is natural, and okay, but the important thing here is recognizing when it happens and withdrawing to avoid any further damage.
These tips may be only a few, but they're principles I feel are highly effective when talking to other people. I hope they give you some direction or are a decent catalyst for personal reflection c:
Instead, most of the time people are more keen on trying to convince others how "wrong" they are, and if they fail, it usually results in a block.
Speaking from experience from being on both ends of the stick over the years. Shit happens.
Best we all learn from it, and share what we can in hopes to educate others to do better.
I mean of course trolls exist, but I'm gonna stay pretty uninformed if I just assume everyone that disagrees with me is a troll that couldn't possibly have something to teach me.