Posted on Mar 9, 2016
Have you ever successfully changed anyone's mind about anything?
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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
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I changed my wife's mind when she agreed to marry me. Before that time, she had been content to remain single.
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Yes, more than once. I can be pretty persuasive...and make a really good argument.
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Yes. Helped someone see that either the Bible is Truth from beginning to end, or it's useless, beginning to end. (Of course, I was just the instrument... The composer and music ran the show.)
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Changed anyone's mind, a few. Helped them understand things from a different perspective (because everyone is different and come from different backgrounds), yes.
My goal is not to change anyone's mind but understand a different perspective (non-offensively) while still maintaining your own.
My goal is not to change anyone's mind but understand a different perspective (non-offensively) while still maintaining your own.
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Given that I have been married multiple times, I have always managed to change my then wife mind to let me volunteer for another mission; result I went on that mission, but later got back to an empty house. Yep they were "Maybe."
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It is easier to fool someone than it to convince them that they have been fooled no matter what evidence of logic you throw at the issue.
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CPT Jack Durish Having gone back and read the finished post, I think you are mostly right. A lot of the political banter right now is not about changing minds. It is about scaring people into voting. I was watching Lewis Black, and I think he summed it up pretty well. So the Democrats go out and try to scare their fanbase into voting by painting the Republican as an Evil Crazy Person, and the Republicans try to scare their fanbase into voting by painting the Democrat in the same way. My opinion is that neither side is interested in presenting a true leader as a candidate. Maybe Rome is on the decline. For the kicker, my wife is a registered Democrat, and my Mom is a Republican. My Dad is registered R, but votes independent. I am registered independent, and vote my conscience regardless of party, or chance of winning the election.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhw66uVf6_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhw66uVf6_4
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Yes CPT Jack Durish I have. Many times my own mind has been changed but what I have read, seen and heard but sometimes I have presented information to others - usually in history of foreign affairs and they have changed their minds.
[Update] Over the years I have been able to change a few people's minds about who to vote for and what issues to support. I have worked in local politics for over 20 years as a conservative.
[Update] Over the years I have been able to change a few people's minds about who to vote for and what issues to support. I have worked in local politics for over 20 years as a conservative.
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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.
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LTC Stephen F.
CPT Jack Durish - I concur with you Jack. One thing that helps me [when I remember it] is to write what I plan to post in word processing software like MS Word where I can read what I am writing, spell check, etc. before I post it.
I don't like the fact that we can not edit what we post in the shared links section or Update section.
I updated my response after seeing your complete question.
I don't like the fact that we can not edit what we post in the shared links section or Update section.
I updated my response after seeing your complete question.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
LTC Stephen F. we have had numerous discussions on here, we sometimes agree, and sometimes don't, but I cannot recall anytime that any discourse was not respectful.
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