Has Anyone Ever Changed Their Position On A Subject Due To Forum Debate?

I can't think of anything specific, but when i started reading this forum I was new to the area so it helped me understand the beach issues, local government, and the cool places to go.

Just curious. I mean we go round and round about anything from dogs on the beach to current politics.

I can say that I have certainly come around to other ideas or at the very least an understanding as to why someone might feel a certain way. (especially the Walmart thread)

Just curious how you all feel and what your experiences have been.

G

Yes - I used to be in favor of "drill baby drill". I thought that the potential damage to the beach was over blown by the environmentalists. After reading the Sowal threads (especially the posts by Dave R.) I have changed my position.

Yes - I used to be in favor of "drill baby drill". I thought that the potential damage to the beach was over blown by the environmentalists. After reading the Sowal threads (especially the posts by Dave R.) I have changed my position.

that's so cool. and its wonderful to share ideas and information on issues.

YES Gidget! I have changed my position on MANY issues due to reading so many others ideas and hearing their logic and seeing their very timely links to sources (good sources). Sometimes I have not changed my position but I gain a greater understanding of the other side of the issue. Sometimes I change my position slightly. Sometimes I am aghast at a debate and just cannot get the other side of the issue at all. But mostly this is what I have learned from all the debates:

issues are never black and white. they are complex.
each person is correct in his/her belief and opinion because their perceptions are shaped by their lives, their upbringing, their environment, etc.
most people are genuinely good and have the best intentions - just because they are on the other side of the fence on an issue does not mean they are really different from you.

Mainly I have learned that you must respect all opinions and try not to put negative labels on people - especially people here. I think we have all learned something about the fine art of debate. We aren't perfect debaters by any means. But, I think most have learned about the importance of respect, humor, and maintaining friendships - these things are more important than any issue we have ever discussed.

Unfortunately, some debates turn into battles and personal attacks. Most of us experience this and get drawn into quite negative interaction. But we definitely learn from that as well. We learn that we are letting our ego/ahole self take over. and that we need to remember who we are and do our best to be our best.

yes, I've learned a GREAT deal. and I have seen many others do the same.

Well stated, Tootsie!

It's rare for me to do a full 180 on something I feel strongly about, but there have definitely been a couple times where other Sowallers have shown me I was completely wrong about something or made such a good rational argument I had to reexamine my position.

Frequently I find out a great deal more about a topic, understand more about the differing viewpoints, and get the whole picture instead of just the "sound bite" version.

Also find it to be a good reality check on what is really going on to hear from different people who have different sources of info and other ideas and perspectives.

A lot of times I will ask Sowal about a topic because it is so truly strange to me that people actually think/act like that I really just don't understand it - it's like they are telling me the sun rises in the west.

that's so cool. and its wonderful to share ideas and information on issues.

YES Gidget! I have changed my position on MANY issues due to reading so many others ideas and hearing their logic and seeing their very timely links to sources (good sources). Sometimes I have not changed my position but I gain a greater understanding of the other side of the issue. Sometimes I change my position slightly. Sometimes I am aghast at a debate and just cannot get the other side of the issue at all. But mostly this is what I have learned from all the debates:

issues are never black and white. they are complex.
each person is correct in his/her belief and opinion because their perceptions are shaped by their lives, their upbringing, their environment, etc.
most people are genuinely good and have the best intentions - just because they are on the other side of the fence on an issue does not mean they are really different from you.

Mainly I have learned that you must respect all opinions and try not to put negative labels on people - especially people here. I think we have all learned something about the fine art of debate. We aren't perfect debaters by any means. But, I think most have learned about the importance of respect, humor, and maintaining friendships - these things are more important than any issue we have ever discussed.

Unfortunately, some debates turn into battles and personal attacks. Most of us experience this and get drawn into quite negative interaction. But we definitely learn from that as well. We learn that we are letting our ego/ahole self take over. and that we need to remember who we are and do our best to be our best.

yes, I've learned a GREAT deal. and I have seen many others do the same.

This is truly a magnificent and wonderful analysis of what occurs on SoWal. My wife now says I spend waay to much time here but I do enjoy the "give and take". My opinion has been changed on a few issues, usually of a local nature, but I will admit to being pretty well anchored in my observations and opinions. I have tried to tone down my rhetoric but sometimes I fail and its usually due to the fact that someone has said something I find completely out of line where I am concerned. SoWal is a great website but I almost quit posting at 2000 because of the snarkiness. I realize I can be that way, too, so I will keep at it and enjoy the ride.

Gidget... Really good thread topic!

I can't say it's ever caused me to changed positions on something I have taken the time to research and understand beforehand, but it's helped me form opinions on a lot of things I hadn't thought deeply about -- and it's definitely kept me from going to the default position I would probably have taken had I not looked into the issue a little deeper.

The wonderful thing about SoWal, though, is that it brings issues to my attention -- particularly local issues -- that I never would have noticed. A good example of this is the whole Chamber take over of the office of Economic Development and the TDC. I still don't have an opinion on the subject. I do have a smell test reaction, but I keep hoping more people will post on the subject so that I can get a sense of the who and why behind the what.

I think SoWal is a great bit of sunshine on local government.

I can't say it's ever caused me to changed positions on something I have taken the time to research and understand beforehand, but it's helped me form opinions on a lot of things I hadn't thought deeply about -- and it's definitely kept me from going to the default position I would probably have taken had I not looked into the issue a little deeper.

The wonderful thing about SoWal, though, is that it brings issues to my attention -- particularly local issues -- that I never would have noticed. A good example of this is the whole Chamber take over of the office of Economic Development and the TDC. I still don't have an opinion on the subject. I do have a smell test reaction, but I keep hoping more people will post on the subject so that I can get a sense of the who and why behind the what.

I think SoWal is a great bit of sunshine on local government.

great point punzy. I learn about most local info here on SoWal. I've never seen local news TV, I don't look at the newspapers except a weekly glimpse of two very local papers.

There are many issues, local and otherwise, that I had not taken the time to examine before they were discussed at length here. I like to jump in sometimes, and sometimes I just watch. in any event, there is something to learn nearly every day.

does anyone remember the confederate flag debate? it was really seriously serious. It was also very revealing. there was much to learn about history and opinions. there was funny stuff too pertaining to BeachSio and his bedsheets and curtains. people were all up in arms coming from all directions. I don't want to re-open that can, but its a great example of learning some things I didn't know, understanding positions I had never understood before. I really did not change my position, but I did open my mind to the thoughts and statements made by others. I started to understand that it is OKAY to fly whatever flag you choose. and it is also not right to judge someone because of that flag - you do not know what their intentions are behind the selected flag unless you take the time to learn and open your mind enough to realize that people choose different "flags" to fly all the time (and I'm talking about a person's belief in any issue or whatever - not necessarily the confederate flag).. These "flags" are symbols of who we are and what we think. They are all good. unless you choose to believe that all other flags are bad unless they look exactly like your own.

I think that thread was a turning point for me. for many reasons. what I started to understand about people had little to do with the actual topic under debate. it had a great deal to do with how one chooses to give and take, respect, use humor, show gratitude for other opinions and information you had not considered before, etc etc etc. also, it was such a deep debate - like many we have had here - yes, there was a lot of buttheaded behavior, but there was also way more honest and thoughtful dialog than you could ever have in a real face to face debate. maybe we tend to go overboard with our reactions in a way we never would in person. But then things calm down and there are always those very good posters, from many sides of the issue, who provide calm, rational, thoughtful analysis for us all to consider.

yes, there are always a few who choose to act like jerks for whatever reason. you have to learn to be able to totally ignore some posts or you'll go insane. not responding is sometimes the very best response.

Sheets?

Beauregard never did get what he was promised....

In general, SoWal has been extremely educational for me. I've never made a 180 degree change in my position on issues, but have certainly been swayed one way or another by insights that have been voiced by people with oppossing positions. I'm very much inspired by the intellectual discussions that don't deteriorate into personal attacks and snarkiness (although I must admit that there are some amazingly sharp sarcastic wits out there... and it can be darn amusing sometimes.) Let's face it, we just don't get deep into these great discussions on an everyday basis in our "real" lives, do we?

Tootsie said it best, Gidget. I can't think of an issue that I've changed completely on, but hearing the opposing viewpoint from "real" people that I know either personally or through this board personalizes it and makes it more understandable to me. I'm often amazed at the depth of knowledge some posters have on various topics, and find myself getting an education - sometimes when I really didn't want one.

I used to take everything too personally, and through sowal I've learned to take deep breaths and pause to consider before responding. It's taught me to view things through a wider lens, if you will, and to slough off what I don't agree with. That said, some topics still get my dander up, so I simply avoid them - a wonderful option I don't get in real life.

In general, SoWal has been extremely educational for me. I've never made a 180 degree change in my position on issues, but have certainly been swayed one way or another by insights that have been voiced by people with oppossing positions. I'm very much inspired by the intellectual discussions that don't deteriorate into personal attacks and snarkiness (although I must admit that there are some amazingly sharp sarcastic wits out there... and it can be darn amusing sometimes.) Let's face it, we just don't get deep into these great discussions on an everyday basis in our "real" lives, do we?

so so so true! sometimes you gotta just find the humor and move on. and there is no damn way most of us would have such debates with real people in daily life because we only talk so directly with a few good friends and family - or to those who we know agree with our position ahead of time!

Tootsie said it best, Gidget. I can't think of an issue that I've changed completely on, but hearing the opposing viewpoint from "real" people that I know either personally or through this board personalizes it and makes it more understandable to me. I'm often amazed at the depth of knowledge some posters have on various topics, and find myself getting an education - sometimes when I really didn't want one.

I used to take everything too personally, and through sowal I've learned to take deep breaths and pause to consider before responding. It's taught me to view things through a wider lens, if you will, and to slough off what I don't agree with. That said, some topics still get my dander up, so I simply avoid them - a wonderful option I don't get in real life.

so true MC. you can't take things too seriously. you have to laugh, breathe, pause, consider, and sometimes just ignore.

we sometimes think that the people on the other side of an issue are just wrong. guess what? they are not wrong. not at all. YOU are wrong if you think so.

Yes - I used to be in favor of "drill baby drill". I thought that the potential damage to the beach was over blown by the environmentalists. After reading the Sowal threads (especially the posts by Dave R.) I have changed my position.

That is really great! Thank you so much for sharing that Margarita!!

Tootsie - I would thank you 10 times for your post but the darn thanks aren't on lounge So THANK YOU x 10! We all seem to really think you hit the nail on the head with your post.

Very happy that the forum is here. I look to it for a lot of my info - locally, globally, etc...I love hearing the different sides because I am like hmmmm, well that makes sense, never looked at it that way, etc...

Thanks for chiming in everyone. Keep them coming!

G

I used to take everything too personally, and through sowal I've learned to take deep breaths and pause to consider before responding. It's taught me to view things through a wider lens, if you will, and to slough off what I don't agree with. That said, some topics still get my dander up, so I simply avoid them - a wonderful option I don't get in real life.

I know what you mean. Well said. ;-)

G

Ha ha - and it pays to try and be cordial on the forum - you never know who you might meet face to face - I met Andy A and his wife at a party and didn't even know it was him We don't always see eye to eye but it is ok because we've never beaten up on each other - thank goodness lol!

G

Ha ha - and it pays to try and be cordial on the forum - you never know who you might meet face to face - I met Andy A and his wife at a party and didn't even know it was him We don't always see eye to eye but it is ok because we've never beaten up on each other - thank goodness lol!

G

So true! And regarding those with opposing viewpoints, rarely do we disagree on everything, just as I don't agree on everything with those closest to me. Seek the common ground; there's always something there to agree on - even if it's mutual love for this place.

So true! And regarding those with opposing viewpoints, rarely do we disagree on everything, just as I don't agree on everything with those closest to me. Seek the common ground; there's always something there to agree on - even if it's mutual love for this place.

Spot on!

That's one reason I had started that thread "What do you love about SoWal?". People left all that behind and came over and just shared what they loved. That's a nice common ground

G

I can't think of an issue I changed on.....wait, thanks to SoWal I put the toilet seat down, every time. Probably not what you were thinking of, but it did work.
I have to say that I have learned a lot since I have been on SoWal. Mostly the local stuff. When it comes to national issues I zone out a little on this website. There is too much left v. right.

The drilling issue, I haven't turned completely, but I'm on my way. I think we should drill; I just don't want to see it from our beach.

I can't think of an issue I changed on.....wait, thanks to SoWal I put the toilet seat down, every time. Probably not what you were thinking of, but it did work.
I have to say that I have learned a lot since I have been on SoWal. Mostly the local stuff. When it comes to national issues I zone out a little on this website. There is too much left v. right.

The drilling issue, I haven't turned completely, but I'm on my way. I think we should drill; I just don't want to see it from our beach.

Putting the toilet seat down definitely counts!!!!!!!!!good for you JC!!! I am proud of you and you should be proud of yourself!!!

I can't think of an issue I changed on.....wait, thanks to SoWal I put the toilet seat down, every time. Probably not what you were thinking of, but it did work.
I have to say that I have learned a lot since I have been on SoWal. Mostly the local stuff. When it comes to national issues I zone out a little on this website. There is too much left v. right.

The drilling issue, I haven't turned completely, but I'm on my way. I think we should drill; I just don't want to see it from our beach.

You will be seeing it and, possibly walking in it, in a few short days.

Ha ha - and it pays to try and be cordial on the forum - you never know who you might meet face to face - I met Andy A and his wife at a party and didn't even know it was him We don't always see eye to eye but it is ok because we've never beaten up on each other - thank goodness lol!

G

Touche