Has a discussion on the internet ever changed your opinion?

[Grooverider]

Just wondering, after seeing several "deep"/"meaningful" topics on this board arise. I'm curious if anyone has actually had a discussion/arguement and changed their view or opinion on the matter.

I'm leaning towards never, as I never have. Threads that i've considered when making this poll are pretty much the afterlife/religious ones and the political ones/war iraq style ones.

[Tuco]

Not on anything deep or emotional like thiesm, but I've had plenty of arguments on the internet where I found out I was wrong and changed my opinion heh.

Turning a thiest into an athiest takes a lot of time to do and is gradual, you don't just talk to something and they say, "you're right, there is no god, hmm...". And Athiests aren't persuaded with words =P

[Goladus]

Yes, though usually it's not a case of being "wrong" so much as it is learning to see something from a different point of view.

[dak]

Usually any opinion posted on a message board I have already milled over and considered. So when it comes to an opinion change due to a personal fallacy in logic, none that I recall.

People have brought evidence I was unaware of to the table in the past though on several occasion resulting in a change of my opinion.

To be honest I think that is the way it is for most of the people on this board. We are for the majority a group of educated young men who just like to put out thoughts in paper so we can understand them better ourselves.

[Nikkohung You]

dak i wouldnt say majority. I think its equally distrubited.

[Buster]

PGT Changed my life

Unattainably high standards ftl

[Himeo]

Some of the threads I've read here have definately provided a fresh point of view on things. Most haven't.

[vurt]

Like others have said, I've been given different prespectives on issues that helped mold my opinion, but I don't know about "changed" my opinion.

[Zuuljin]

I find MB's a sort of peer review on whatever your typing up. If its good, people will respond well, but if its bad, well then you know you need to go back and revise your opinion (not change it, but there might be a better way of saying it).

I have on many occasions learned things I never took into consideration, or had flaws pointed out in my ramblings. But on occasion, its nice to just rant and rave or laugh at stupid people under the cover of the internets.

[Lost Ranger]

Originally Posted by dak

To be honest I think that is the way it is for most of the people on this board. We are for the majority a group of educated young men who just like to put out thoughts in paper so we can understand them better ourselves.

Very true. I think alot of the "deep" debates we have around here are people who like to put their thoughts to paper so they can work it out as well as discuss it. Or if nothing else like to practice their ability to debate

[Kevincheese]

Never changed by just discussion, as 99% of threads are devoid of any real content, but certain actual "information" included in discussions has. Nothing profound, but hey.

[Eomer]

I've learned lots from various discussions. I've not changed my opinion on anything particularly fundamental, but I've changed my opinion on lots of smaller issues.

[Kiely]

Yes and no, for different topics.
In gaming topics, with the hot topic on Nintendo Wii vs PS3, instincts tell me to go with PS3 but after lots of reading I might end up buying a wii this xmas. (Sure that might change once we hit xmas and more indepth looks are taken)

In religious + philosophical debates I think people just learn a few more points to bring on the table without ever changing opinion. To help better equip yourself if you ever need to explain your opinions further in life.

In films and music reviews, generally I find the boards critics overall pretty accurate with few minor exceptions, they sum up what I feel nicely. I regard the general reviews here more than any web critic. When I like a band and see the majority here against it, I try to understand why there are dislikes but usually its pretty hard, when people dislike something they often wrap explainations around alot of bullshit, myth and hype.

And no matter how many times I see FF8 flames, I'l always think it rocks.

[brekk]

No, i have never gotten involved in a internet discussion where I was on the wrong side.

[Frawdo]

Originally Posted by Eomer

I've learned lots from various discussions. I've not changed my opinion on anything particularly fundamental, but I've changed my opinion on lots of smaller issues.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up for me too.