Before engaging in an argument, consider the following:

  1. Do you think the opponent's arguments will help improve your worldview? If so, the argument is useful.

  2. Is your opponent open to changing their view, and will your arguments help that? If so, the argument is useful.

  3. Is this an effective use of your time reaching other people compared to e.g. posting/commenting your arguments elsewhere? If so, the argument is useful.

Otherwise, the argument is not useful and you should consider doing something else.

7 points · 10 comments · view on lemmy.world

10 Comments

Broadfern@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 141d (7 replies)

1000009% agree.

Good faith, nuanced discussion >>>> engaging with a hostile β€œdebate”

otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 139d (6 replies)

Well, that's not how percentages work at all. πŸ˜…

p4rzivalrp2@piefed.social · 0 pts · 138d (5 replies)

But is that a valuable debate? πŸ€”

otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 137d (4 replies)

Are you?

p4rzivalrp2@piefed.social · 1 pts · 137d (3 replies)

Is anything? πŸ€”πŸ€”πŸ€”

otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 137d (2 replies)

Is?

MousePotatoDoesStuff@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 136d (1 reply)

?

otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 135d
surewhynotlem@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 138d (1 reply)

Sometimes you argue so a third person sees people pushing back. Being performative is sometimes the point.

MousePotatoDoesStuff@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 138d

Yeah, that makes sense and I tried to cover it with Point 3.