LPT: If you’re about to engage in an argument with someone online, you should check if they are trolling.

Submitted by lifinale t3_117fjnp in LifeProTips

When you’re about to have a dispute, check their account first. If they seem normal, chances are they probably just disagree with your opinion and are willing to challenge it. If they have a channel full of trolling, they are relatively new, or they’ve engaged in arguments frequently, chances are they are trolling you. End the conversation immediately so they can’t get anything out of you. They might call you a coward, but they’ll be irritated that they couldn’t get a reaction out of you.

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Cristinky420 t1_j9bdskv wrote

You're not obligated to participate in every argument you're invited to. - Unknown

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Lycanfyre t1_j9bb888 wrote

Even better, just avoid online arguments.

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virtue-or-indolence t1_j9bjzdk wrote

Better yet, don’t argue on the internet. You will never change anyone else’s mind about anything important.

There are copious studies on the neurochemistry of an argument that show an inability to edit certain sections of memory that came about as an evolutionary tool: killing a bear barehanded once obviously shouldn’t change the classification of a bear as fucking dangerous. The portions of our brain that we hold ideas about religion and politics (the most common sources of argument) happen to fall into these protected regions. This is made doubly worse by the loss of inflection and nuance from text compared to speech.

I try to limit myself to a single response for exactly this reason unless I find I’ve actually learned something and the conversation is non-combative, and the more the comment opposes mine the less likely I am to respond. In theory, I’m not perfect.

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TrooperJohn t1_j9cxiw3 wrote

Well, I do agree that you're not going to change the other person's mind.

But (especially if it's a high-traffic, general-interest forum), there are a lot of others who will read your exchange, and THEY might be influenced if their minds are not set on the matter.

So make the best argument you can. You might pick up a few new people on your side, especially if your arguments are reasoned and in good faith. Tone makes a difference.

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virtue-or-indolence t1_j9d433z wrote

If your intended audience isn’t the person you’re arguing with, better to ignore them and address your intended audience directly, no?

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LrnFaroeseWthBergur t1_j9c6qci wrote

I found myself engaging in lots of meaningless debates on the internet until I watched a Ted talk about Confucius' Way of the Water. It's highly recommended. I'm in a very stressful place in my life right now, and this teaching is helping me deflect the worst stress since I can't really do much about the things in my life that I don't like.

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yamaha2000us t1_j9cb8j6 wrote

The best solution is never voice an opinion other than the popular one. This will allow you to groom karma and never need to form opinions of your own.

As for fact checking, ignore it. You can find all of the information you need to support your position but just go back to the first sentence of this comment and all will be well.

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pookeyblow t1_j9cz76t wrote

LPT: Don’t argue with strangers online even though it’s tempting. It’s almost always a total waste of time and you rarely get anything out of it. Spend your time better.

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lifinale OP t1_j9d0e11 wrote

In my opinion, arguments should be dropped in favour of disputes. Disputes can be informative and can help you understand perspectives while arguments are targeted towards a specific person or group. And yes, I did use them interchangeably, but I think it’s important we recognize when to engage in disputes, because some are inevitable, and some are just pointless.

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keepthetips t1_j9bb3jq wrote

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positive_charging t1_j9bc8m2 wrote

What about if someone is sealioning?

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lifinale OP t1_j9bcnav wrote

I would say to do the same thing. You’re just feeding into them if you keep trying to change their mind. But that’s just my opinion.

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positive_charging t1_j9bd2gy wrote

For comedic purposes, I was gonna ask you another question, but no, it's not clever.

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