Threads which changed your view?
Discussion
After reading the "winning forum arguments thread", it got me thinking.
I'll often sound off about something over the web (Government, Tax, Cars, Crime, etc..) and I'll read other people's opinions which very often differ from my own. However, I have to say that I can't think of a single occasion when someone's take on a particular matter has changed my own view.
I'm interested to know - am I simply too 'opinionated' and 'unchangeable'? Has anyone else seen a point of view in a thread, which changed their view because of it?
I'll often sound off about something over the web (Government, Tax, Cars, Crime, etc..) and I'll read other people's opinions which very often differ from my own. However, I have to say that I can't think of a single occasion when someone's take on a particular matter has changed my own view.
I'm interested to know - am I simply too 'opinionated' and 'unchangeable'? Has anyone else seen a point of view in a thread, which changed their view because of it?
ks. 
I can have my opinion 'softened' by a thread but never changed. For example, the threads on drugs have provided a lot of lively debate and, although I stand by my approach to drugs and my experiences connected with them, I don't see anything wrong with the legalisation of cannabis, and that's entirely down to a PH thread (as my friends who smoke dope wouldn't be able to put forward a coherent argument without undermining themselves anyway 
I've become much less of a badge snob. Before, I would've written off anything 'everyday' in it's name (ie Vauxhall, Peugoet etc) as undesirable numpty transport (the evergreen Honda Civic Type-R thread is so old it contains my changing opinions of that car over the course of 3 years! from hateful little chav-chariot to odd-looking BTCC star). I can even see the potential sense in buying a Hyundai Sonata or a Kia Magentis.
Also, I used to be rather dubious of the value of anything with a hatchback (not entirely why but I used to hate them, my argument being that if you parked a saloon and a hatch outside a hotel with valet parking, they'd put the hatch out of sight first). This completely irrational idea of mine has been changed, although I still don't see much point in spending money on a 'city car'.
I've become much less of a badge snob. Before, I would've written off anything 'everyday' in it's name (ie Vauxhall, Peugoet etc) as undesirable numpty transport (the evergreen Honda Civic Type-R thread is so old it contains my changing opinions of that car over the course of 3 years! from hateful little chav-chariot to odd-looking BTCC star). I can even see the potential sense in buying a Hyundai Sonata or a Kia Magentis.
Also, I used to be rather dubious of the value of anything with a hatchback (not entirely why but I used to hate them, my argument being that if you parked a saloon and a hatch outside a hotel with valet parking, they'd put the hatch out of sight first). This completely irrational idea of mine has been changed, although I still don't see much point in spending money on a 'city car'.
A lot of the views expressed by the BiB in SP & L have moderated some of my more narrow minded daily mail flavoured rantings 
People have a habit of sticking to an opinion more because they are proud of having formed that opinion than any intrinsic value of it. Makes it very difficult to change as people see an attack on their opinion as an attack on them (makes them stick to the opinion even harder in my experience).
People have a habit of sticking to an opinion more because they are proud of having formed that opinion than any intrinsic value of it. Makes it very difficult to change as people see an attack on their opinion as an attack on them (makes them stick to the opinion even harder in my experience).
I am inclined to say that few threads have actually "changed" my views but a few threads have enhanced my views (not sure if that counts as 'change'). When I read a thread about a certain subject on which I have a view/opinion and then reading the views of those that think differently, some of the justifications for their views actually make mine a damnded site stronger.
Oh - and that is just my view/opinion.
Oh - and that is just my view/opinion.
I respect any opinion that's been formed as a result of experience. If someone's just come out with a Daily Wail argument (ie stop the immigrants, castrate everyone, get rid of the entire welfare system, tear up the railways etc) with no real foundations for it I tend to see the thread as a lost cause so far as level-headed argument goes.
And that's my opinion of government - they haven't been there and seen it, they've just been given the carefully-constructed statistics.
And that's my opinion of government - they haven't been there and seen it, they've just been given the carefully-constructed statistics.
Thinking about it, some threads have changed my view by reinforcing my orignal opinion. For example, I'll sound off about the exorbitant Tax that we pay in the UK and most people will agree. Some of these contributors make additional points which I'd not considered (the fact that Tax on petrol is double, because you also pay VAT, for example). As such, my opinion is further reinforced not moderated.
As such, my opinions tend to 'harden' rather than become 'moderated', which I guess could be a little dangerous on occasion.
As such, my opinions tend to 'harden' rather than become 'moderated', which I guess could be a little dangerous on occasion.
I dont suppose any threads or opinions expressed on them, have actually changed my mind. But, its actually very refreshing to see alternative views. Rather than a single one-sided discussion, some threads to have reasoned and fair arguments about some points - which is good as it makes you consider and apprechiate the other view.... I think its quite good....
I think the most important thing is the ability to respect someone elses point of view, and vice versa.
From time to time I do read something or am told something and think "Well, I'd never thought of it like that".
All too often it seems to descend to just petty name calling and lets face it, anyone can do that, to one degree or another. To manage reasoned debate however is an altogether different quality.
Greg
From time to time I do read something or am told something and think "Well, I'd never thought of it like that".
All too often it seems to descend to just petty name calling and lets face it, anyone can do that, to one degree or another. To manage reasoned debate however is an altogether different quality.
Greg
EmmaP said:
I will mention no names, but I was shocked and disappointed when I read one members opinion of a fellow PHer, certainly changed my view of them
I had the same experience recently too Wedge Girl. I was very disappointed in them.
Who? What? Did I miss something? As per usual, I miss all of the good stuff....
I very often enjoy discussing aspects of driving, along the lines of "such-and-such happened, and so I did this was I right?" etc.
As a result of one of these I consulted the highway code and found that my opinion was wrong.
Trouble is, can't remember what it was so I can't say a lesson learned. Although it was at the time.
I also do think that this site is generally very right wing, way more to the right than even the Daily Mail, which is odd given the stick that is handed out to that journal and its readers on this site.
As a result of one of these I consulted the highway code and found that my opinion was wrong.
Trouble is, can't remember what it was so I can't say a lesson learned. Although it was at the time.
I also do think that this site is generally very right wing, way more to the right than even the Daily Mail, which is odd given the stick that is handed out to that journal and its readers on this site.
GregE240 said:
I think the most important thing is the ability to respect someone elses point of view, and vice versa.
From time to time I do read something or am told something and think "Well, I'd never thought of it like that".
All too often it seems to descend to just petty name calling and lets face it, anyone can do that, to one degree or another. To manage reasoned debate however is an altogether different quality.
Greg
Well said Greg.
EmmaP said:Where where?
I think the most important thing is the ability to respect someone elses point of view, and vice versa.
From time to time I do read something or am told something and think "Well, I'd never thought of it like that".
All too often it seems to descend to just petty name calling and lets face it, anyone can do that, to one degree or another. To manage reasoned debate however is an altogether different quality.
Greg
Here! Here! Well said Greg.
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