Should You Argue Online?

[@AboveTheNoise]

Hey y'all - do you get heated in online discussions? What are some topics that you just can't let go when you see someone post something you feel passionate about? Curious to hear if you have had any luck changing someone's mind, and if so, how'd you do it?

[@frederickoftheartic2209]

How to not get into arguments: Don't download Twitter.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Sound advice!

[@jibbaspaa]

I can’t say that this was a different format than your other videos necessarily but I enjoyed it a lot it seems more humorous more light more comical for a deep subject I really enjoyed it thank you sir

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for noticing! We’ve been working on our storytelling and comedic skills.

[@Golabi]

How to win online arguments? That's the neat part.. you don't

[@AboveTheNoise]

We arrive to that general conclusion at the end -- isn't all about connecting around our shared humanity (or just letting go...)?

[@sarahmesser3359]

In addition to the excellent advice you cover, there are a couple things I try to keep in mind for the online arguments - especially the rougher political ones: 1. Pace yourself. Finding sources, anticipating counterarguments, and making sure your points are clear & calm is _tiring_. Be ready to walk away for a bit between posts. If you know that there's an argument already in progress, don't start a second one. If you've got Facebook flame wars going, maybe wait till tomorrow to check them and respond. They calm down. You calm down, and you can make your statement more clearly. 2. I don't necessarily try to convince the person I'm talking to - especially if they've made it clear they're not going to be convinced by anything, under any circumstances. Instead, I focus on portraying myself as the calmer, more reasonable, better-read person in the argument. There is an _audience_ for many of these arguments, even a small one and even if some people aren't taking a stand. Make statements _they_ may find receptive. It also helps me shrug off pointed taunts and _ad_ _hominem_ attacks. I try to think "And that guy just demonstrated to the world why he shouldn't be trusted with these decisions." This also helps me respond to the actual arguments instead of responding to some strawman they didn't use.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Great insights! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your own advice with viewers!

[@kylespevak6781]

I find myself having reasons and studies to support my arguments, but if the collective internet disagrees, they just get emotionally disrupted and spam insults which don't really effect someone who's not insecure. It becomes an awkward moment of watching someone get angry at you for not agreeing, then being as hateful as possible whilst calling you hateful

[@rodneycooperjr3223]

Here's my advice: When someone says something you don't appreciate online, you're going to feel something negative about it, but you don't "have" to respond to it at all. Like he said, you could just block the person. However, if you simply must respond, you don't respond out of that negativity. You can respond out of curiosity. Just ask a question.

[@kenster8270]

Exactly. You could ask "What do you mean?", or you can simply scroll on by and go about your life. If a comment seems inappropriate/illegal, simply report it, and THEN scroll on by. 😇

[@AboveTheNoise]

Great advice! Thank you!

[@HumbertoRomero-q6t]

i actually like the advice the reason being is because there is no reason to lower your standers for no one

[@richardbeckmann6720]

Iceland is green and Greenland is ice

[@EnigmaticLucas]

That was originally deliberately misleading. Erik the Red, the first European to go to Greenland, lied about it being full of greenery to encourage other people to live there with him. It worked - Greenland today has a significant White minority and is a part of the Danish Realm, alongside Denmark proper and the Faroe Islands.

[@patrickjspoon]

The moment someone advocates for "the big guy" is when I go OFF

[@AboveTheNoise]

Yep, that is a trigger we can relate to.

[@jumpyredzo]

I just wanted to say that I am super happy I found this channel. It does a great job of giving a pretty good, but brief understanding of different topics. Here's hoping that the algorithm gets more people discovering your channel! Edit: Also, btw love the beard rn

[@AboveTheNoise]

Wow, thank you!

[@studentofsmith]

A few years ago I adopted a policy of never making more than 2-3 responses in an online argument, even if that means letting the other party have the last word. In my experience people begin arguing in circles after that point and any 'audience' members you may be trying to convince lose interest.

[@kenster8270]

But why would I want to engage online with some random anonymous stranger or a Putin/Trump/QAnon trollbot? Waste of time and brain cells 🤷‍ Life is too short man.

[@AboveTheNoise]

True. But what if it's Uncle Otis spreading missing information about the GOAT?

[@kylespevak6781]

"Here's what I think" "Well you're wrong because...." I hate these people

[@suly3243]

when people feel attacked or you try to point out their mistakes they may feel attacked and that may make them defensive and less likely to change their mind, asking questions that make them reflect on their opinion or what you think is wrong with their argument (ex, if vaccines are bad then how are they good according to research and have positive effect?) makes it less likely for them to get defensive and more likely to change their mind. And come out as trying to share your opinion so they don’t feel like they’re being forced to accept and may reflect later on their opinion.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for watching and sharing your take on this!

[@kylespevak6781]

If Covid was so deadly, how come homeless thrived and now when nothing has changed, nobody gives a fuck about it? Weird

[@isis-daisy3384]

I'm so traumatised that I get nausea inducing anxiety whenever I get into internet arguments 😂 what is wrong with me 😩

[@NUCLEARxREDACTED]

Even if no one involved in the arguement changes their mind, it can still be useful to other people who havent formed an opinion one way or the other. Many times I have come across arguements I was wholly unfamilair with, and by the time I finished reading, I felt more informed on the subject. Especially if you can look at it without attachment. But I guess it is only certain types of debates that offer that benefit, just name calling, and petty, rude, one-up-manship, doesn't give anyone anything.

[@s1ique0]

One thing that works is to not use swear words much

[@mohammedmustafa7757]

Your content is of great quality... you should try like putting your ads somewhere for more subs...

[@AboveTheNoise]

Working on it!

[@NotHPotter]

Myles about to get cancelled by the whole country of Iceland.

[@AboveTheNoise]

😬 But we LOVE Iceland. Bucket list for sure!

[@GameTesterBootCamp]

If you're looking at interactions online as "Arguments to Win" then you're practicing public discourse wrong.

[@thomasr.jackson2940]

Good stuff that. I love conversations, online or off, that seriously explore issues, and follow your four rules. These days, if you’re on a platform with a bunch of endless arguments, there is a good chance you’re being played by a corporation to make money. We all are worth more than that. Treat other people, and yourself accordingly.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for watching! And sharing that insight, too.

[@chasarch6706]

Frankly, I get scared to debate or even discuss. I don’t feel like a gifted orator skilled in dissecting bad arguments and fear I’ll make my views and myself look bad even if I’m right. Also, we’re all wrong about things. We have incomplete and/or misinterpreted data. We suffer from confirmation bias. We tie our views to our identity and dig our heels in the ground when challenged.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Great observations. You should check out our video about confirmation bias and "tribal" identity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn_QqKmkqbJ5a6M

[@Leahmh80]

This is why I’ve been focusing on the Socratic method for these hot button topics. And… while I may not change the interlocutors mind, I may change the mind of an observer, or I may even learn something.

[@Mr.YasQueen]

I personally don't like the logic of "debating isn't to change the mind of the other person, it's for an observer" because you're sacrificing your mood, time of day, and possible mental health for a faceless stranger you might help change their mind. It makes more sense to put this effort in person where you can interact with people and they aren't just some username on the scree.

[@madao7865]

How to win an argument online? Whatever you say, just follow it up with: "If you'll excuse me, I have a life to live." and then stop responding.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Lol. There is always that.

[@madao7865]

@@AboveTheNoise Oh you mean civilized arguments. My bad. Commented before watching the video. There, my stance is: if you're interested in their train of thought, learning it is a win for you. If they do the same, good on them. Otherwise, who cares?

[@lostboytnt1]

When it's given as a present, it's not called cash, it's a universal gift certificate

[@Duraputer]

You would need to argue in a way that makes them think that you are on their side. So if you want to change a republican's mind you have to talk like a republican, and if you want to change a democrat's mind, you talk like a Democrat.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Good advice! Thanks for watching!

[@SeamusCampbell89]

Hot take: don't block and don't stop in an online argument because doing so is a form of admitting defeat. Second hot take: if you want to win, call the person on the phone IRL (yes, that sounds extreme but just a few years ago, it was not uncommon to look for someone's phone number in a paper-bound public database and call out of the blue... the Internet just simplified the lookup process). It will catch them off guard and actually give you an upper hand because the tone of voice (which is essential for a strong argument) will be added.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and share your perspective!

[@cooldude3856]

TRADE REQUEST FROM MARK ZUCKERBERG: *he receives:* your personal data *you recieve:* online arguments edit: no pancakes waffles are the supreme breakfast food

[@AboveTheNoise]

The margin for error on a waffle knocks it down in the rankings

[@SaucerJess]

🧡🎃🧡

[@AboveTheNoise]

Happy Halloween!

[@inquisitivefrog4554]

So if people are using “we” and “us” pronouns they are less likely to change their minds. That made me wonder if people are also less likely to change their mind if they use “y’all” type pronouns for their opponent. Sort of like an “I’m right because I’m an us, and you’re wrong because you’re a them.”

[@AboveTheNoise]

Oh... interesting question! Now I'm curious too.

[@thenegativoneify]

Wtf is worldstaaaar?