Posted on Mar 9, 2016
Have you ever successfully changed anyone's mind about anything?
9.58K
88
39
13
13
0
Support Your Local Sheriff - We Don't Have Any Bars Yet
Sometimes a sheriff has to improvise.
Many people take offense when I post something with which they disagree. I bet that happens to you, doesn't it? They seem to think that I'm attacking them, as though I expect to tear down their opinion and replace it with my own. However, that simply isn't the case at all.
It seems to me that we're all prisoners of our beliefs. Like this scene from the James Garner movie, Support Your Local Sheriff, we become trapped by imaginary boundaries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiFLTtjeuDc
So, why are we arguing? Why bother if we can't really change anybody's mind about anything?
The truth is that being among those who share our opinions is comfortable. We put ourselves out there with our words trolling for like minded groups.
Another truth is that some groups need to be stirred (or riled) into action. Elections are a very good example. In the past two Presidential elections, the Democrats were inspired to vote, while the Republicans weren't. To be fair, the Democrats were far more motivated in 2008 than in 2012. After four years of disappointments, they turned out in far smaller numbers. The GOP could have won easily in 2012, even if they turned out in the same numbers as 2008. Sadly for them, they didn't.
Thus, much of the political banter going on these days isn't intended to change anyone's mind about whom they're going to vote for. It's more about convincing like minded voters to get out and vote. So, don't take offense. No one is attacking you, are they? If you find yourself getting hot under the collar, just step back and stop listening in on other people's conversations.
It seems to me that we're all prisoners of our beliefs. Like this scene from the James Garner movie, Support Your Local Sheriff, we become trapped by imaginary boundaries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiFLTtjeuDc
So, why are we arguing? Why bother if we can't really change anybody's mind about anything?
The truth is that being among those who share our opinions is comfortable. We put ourselves out there with our words trolling for like minded groups.
Another truth is that some groups need to be stirred (or riled) into action. Elections are a very good example. In the past two Presidential elections, the Democrats were inspired to vote, while the Republicans weren't. To be fair, the Democrats were far more motivated in 2008 than in 2012. After four years of disappointments, they turned out in far smaller numbers. The GOP could have won easily in 2012, even if they turned out in the same numbers as 2008. Sadly for them, they didn't.
Thus, much of the political banter going on these days isn't intended to change anyone's mind about whom they're going to vote for. It's more about convincing like minded voters to get out and vote. So, don't take offense. No one is attacking you, are they? If you find yourself getting hot under the collar, just step back and stop listening in on other people's conversations.
Politics
Religion
Knowledge
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 18
5
5
0
CPT Jack Durish more often than not, people are emotionally attached to their opinions. This means that in order to change someone's opinion, more often than not, it has to start by separating it from the emotion behind it. Politics is a big one. People tend to be fueled by a righteous indignation when it comes to political beliefs. This often comes across as a challenge to oppose them rather than an invitation to have a civilized exchange of beliefs on the issues of the day. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. Another big one is religion. People are spiritually attached to their opinion, and often take a disagreement about religious beliefs as a personal attack. The key to any discussion in which opposing opinions are held is acknowledging the other person's right to their opinion. Remove the emotion. Boil it down to opinion and support. This is how I feel, this is why I feel it. Instead of this is how I feel, and this is why you are wrong to oppose it. As soon as you start outright telling people they are wrong, you will never convince them to change their opinion. They are going to shut down and you become Charlie Brown's teacher as the other person tunes you out. I don't try to change other people's opinions. I will tell people when I disagree with their opinion (hopefully in a respectful way), and I will tell people when I think they make good points. Fact of the matter is no matter how much a person is admired, or how much a person is despised, no person is right all the time and no person is wrong all the time.
(5)
(0)
SSG Warren Swan
You're spot on. Religion and politics are some sore subjects on here. Have been for awhile. I don't mind religion until you begin the usual "my religion is better than yours", "Islam followers are all this or that", or add in any other catchphrase you see on here. Politics are just that. Opinions made by others who share the same opinions. I don't care about those either as long as I don't get labeled or called names. You can prove me wrong and I'd agree with you, but once you call me stupid, ignorant, or misinformed, whatever you had going in the right direction with me, is now lost in space.
(3)
(0)
Col Joseph Lenertz
Agree. You really have to see your own bias and get your own emotion out of it, and go into the discussion hoping to learn something. My own opinion on several topics has changed based on the superior background and knowledge of a fellow RP member. It's most often a vector change of 20 degrees or 90 degrees, rather than a 180 on a yes/no question, because we often deal with complex topics here.
(3)
(0)
PO3 Steven Sherrill
Col Joseph Lenertz - doing some fact checking yesterday, I found out that I was mistaken in my position on the amount that the U.S. spends on foreign aid. I had the data sitting in front of me, and my brain was still telling me, "Yeah But." I had to take a step back and actually let the data sink in before continuing. Didn't so much change my mind as it gave me perspective.
(1)
(0)
Col Joseph Lenertz
PO3 Steven Sherrill - Same here on percentage of US public who has served in the military. I was saying 1%. It's really about 7%.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
2
2
0
On occasion I have changed my opinion and have even been able to change that of others.
However, as a rule no.
However, as a rule no.
(2)
(0)
Actually, I did. Once upon a time ago, while visiting my family after my Father passed....my sister, her son and I were having a discussion about weapons and firearms. My nephew was against firearms stating that they kill people. Naturally, I went into attack mode on that statement. While I didn't have a firearm on me, I did have my knife. I pulled it out, and talked about how, while deadly it can possibly be, it is still a tool and an inanimate object and only effective and/or dangerous depending on the hand that holds it. I opened the blade and laid it on the table. I looked right at my knife and told it to kill someone. The knife did not move. It didn't even flinch. I looked at my nephew and informed him that a firearm is the same way. It will not harm anyone until it is in the hands of someone, re-explaining that it is a tool and it is the hand of the person using it that commits the act, not the tool. He actually told me that I changed his thought process and even thanked me for it.
(2)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
It would be interesting to know how old your nephew was at the time. Obviously, a person can be "molded" while their opinions are still being formed. This is why education is so important (and the Left has focused their efforts at gaining control in schools).
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Well said. I find it better to just state your opinion and the data that supports it. Name calling and focus group tested political tag lines are normally counter productive. A little humor doesn't hurt either. I would be harsh and vitriolic in the recent past, but reading Greg Gutfeld's book "How to be Right: The Art of Being Persuasively Correct," has changed my approach. Basically, you'll likely never change someone's opinion on most subjects. But, if you can state your opinion concisely, directly, and without being an ass, you'll cause others to think.
(2)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
There is little doubt that humor is best. It's nonthreatening. However, even that must be handled carefully. If you ever hear the words "Are you making fun of me?" you probably are in for a bad time.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I don't expect to change anyone's mind on anything, but I do expect to learn something in the process. I also don't expect them to change mine either. I'm not going to agree to everything someone says, and I definitely don't expect them to like all of mine. If we can talk about it, then we have a mutual respect as long as the conversation doesn't take an ugly turn to name calling, or other ignorant means some folks on here in the past have used to justify that their opinion is the only valid one. If you're unwilling to come on here and share an opinion, justify your view, and support your claim, be easy on yourself and go to FB. It's not like most of your friends will fact check you.
(2)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
I'm confused by RP's system that I can't complete my thought when making a posting and people are responding before I have a chance to edit it to complete it. In this case, three people have responded to my incomplete posting and I wish they had had the chance to read the whole thing. Thanks anyway and I hope you'll finish what I started.
(1)
(0)
PO3 Steven Sherrill
CPT Jack Durish - Would it be smart ass of me to say I have changed my mind about that?
Sorry. I am a bad person. I will go sit in the corner until the rest is posted.
Sorry. I am a bad person. I will go sit in the corner until the rest is posted.
(0)
(0)
SSG Warren Swan
CPT Jack Durish - I'm not sure if I'd call it arguing, although it has led to just that on many occasions on here. You mention "stirring the pot". I agree with that in principle. But to some, they're so fixated in their views, stirring the pot only inflames them, and there is no back and forth, and possibly a block and you being reported to the admins. You cannot stir it without someone becoming butthurt, even when you have clear unbiased data to support your claim (I think it's funny when you pull up a site that's official and the person you're showing it to claims it's a liberal/conservative rag or hacksite).
"Thus, much of the political banter going on these days isn't intended to change anyone's mind about whom they're going to vote for. It's more about convincing like minded voters to get out and vote. So, don't take offense. No one is attacking you, are they? If you find yourself getting hot under the collar, just step back and stop listening in on other people's conversations"...I liked this paragraph being it shows what is being done, and asks a question that is in itself debatable. If the banter is to convince like minded individuals to vote, then that is a win for you and your candidate. It's how it should be. Bush was bad, Obama was bad, the Dems are bad, the Cons are bad....in all fairness all are bad. Where is the lesser evil? Attacking? Yes it happens. You'll find hardcore supporters of a candidate and when you show flaws in their candidate it just goes from bad to worse. I know a few of those individuals, and I'll refrain from speaking to them on certain levels already knowing how it will work out. Others are more open minded and willing to talk or debate even though both of us know nothing will come of it.
"Thus, much of the political banter going on these days isn't intended to change anyone's mind about whom they're going to vote for. It's more about convincing like minded voters to get out and vote. So, don't take offense. No one is attacking you, are they? If you find yourself getting hot under the collar, just step back and stop listening in on other people's conversations"...I liked this paragraph being it shows what is being done, and asks a question that is in itself debatable. If the banter is to convince like minded individuals to vote, then that is a win for you and your candidate. It's how it should be. Bush was bad, Obama was bad, the Dems are bad, the Cons are bad....in all fairness all are bad. Where is the lesser evil? Attacking? Yes it happens. You'll find hardcore supporters of a candidate and when you show flaws in their candidate it just goes from bad to worse. I know a few of those individuals, and I'll refrain from speaking to them on certain levels already knowing how it will work out. Others are more open minded and willing to talk or debate even though both of us know nothing will come of it.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Great question My answer is no. I can help people with there decisions but I can't control their thoughts.
(1)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
You'd think that you should be able to scare people into changing their minds (with a name like yours)
(2)
(0)
Sgt Kelli Mays
SFC Stephen King CPT Jack Durish I don't think it's trying to control one's mind when changing their opinion...if you present your side or opinion with explanation of why....someone might change their mind in what they thought previously.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Yes Sir. I tend to hurt feelings on a regular basis, but that is not my intention.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Sometimes folks are so caught up in their opinions, they lose clarity. I like to give folks a different perspective. Even if I don't change their minds, its important to understand a different view or at least acknowledge that there is a different view than our own.
I value everyone's opinion if it comes from an honest place. We can agree to disagree. Then again, some folks are idiots and I just write them off. Luckily, their are fewer idiots out there.
I value everyone's opinion if it comes from an honest place. We can agree to disagree. Then again, some folks are idiots and I just write them off. Luckily, their are fewer idiots out there.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Sadly, many believe that what they think, write, or say is the truth when, in reality, looking at it in a rational manner it is NOT the truth. Facts are just that: facts regardless of how we may FEEL about something.
(1)
(0)
CPT Jack Durish
I'm confused by RP's system that I can't complete my thought when making a posting and people are responding before I have a chance to edit it to complete it. In this case, three people have responded to my incomplete posting and I wish they had had the chance to read the whole thing. Thanks anyway and I hope you'll finish what I started.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google