My name is Jason, and I have an addiction to arguing.

[King Tryndamere 100]

And what's sad is that I'm both a brony and pagan, so I have 2 very good reasons to love and tolerate. But when I see people on Youtube posting inflammatory/ignorant messages, I just feel like I have to tear into them, and I actually get a rush from it. Anyone else have the same problem or a similar problem? Also, what kind of moments make it hardest for you to love and tolerate?

 

If this topic is against the rules, please let me know and either a staff can remove it or I will.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

Arguing problem? No you don't

 

I think lots of people share the same problem because they enjoy the emotional high from responding to people- anger, frustration, condescendment, annoyance... They all may be negative emotions but people can become just as desiring of the sensation of those as congratulation, happiness and so on. It's why I think complaining is an addictive behaviour.

[DusK 1,264]

I get that same rush. I get an even bigger rush from proving people wrong with documented facts and sound logic and watching them squirm.

 

My girlfriend says I should be a lawyer.

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

I find it obnoxious and avoid it whenever possible. It's not possible to win an argument anyway; anger obscures reason so both leave convinced that they were absolutely right regardless of what was said, and have an undeserved sense of accomplishment. When a discussion degenerates to the point that winning the debate rather than the person with whom one is debating takes precedence, it's all done for the sake of one's own vanity at that point, which is worthless to anybody else. And no matter how factually correct one may be, if you don't convey your perspective with some civility, nobody cares if you were right.

[AustralianFries 213]

Hello Jason.

 

In most cases, trying to change someones opinion on something is a lost cause. People convince themselves that they are right no matter what. No matter how much you put forward, no matter what you've said or done, they will just deny deny deny. It's a bit easier to get into debates face to face. On the internet, however, you might as well be slamming your face on the keyboard for an hour straight.

 

I hate it when people bag on bronies and MLP as well. Because I know that they have never ever watched the show. But I just let it slide, I might respond in a cool tone by saying "Why don't you watch the show." or something along those lines...

Edited October 27, 2012 by Australianfries

[SweetJeans88 408]

i like debating. i used to stir up arguments for kicks when i was younger. i have 2 little brothers less than a year apart from one another. id frame each until they were at each others throats... then sit back and enjoy the fireworks. ive toned it down because well, you cant keep many friends by plotting against them haha. i still like to be belligerant but its all in good fun. i take the opposite stance for the sake of the game.

 

 

just be careful not to take it too far. playful jabs, with a hint of the truth are pretty effective; overkill can make you look bad. :/

 

and to be fair, every human on the planet thinks their opinions are right, and others' are wrong.

Edited October 27, 2012 by SweetJeans88

[King Tryndamere 100]

In my case, I try to champion beliefs that aren't popular, but still extremely valid or debunk popular beliefs that are unjustified (in my opinion anyway). My reasoning is to try to make Youtube (and maybe the world) a better place. It's not so much trying to convince someone that I'm right and they're wrong (unless they really deserve it), it's showing how they're wrong, so others don't start believing the same things. Although I'll still try to reason with them in case there's a chance I can change their minds. Tbh though, it's mostly about slamming extremely ignorant/pigheaded people and making them have egg on their face xD (one of my role models a few years ago used razor sharp wit to battle trolls)

Edited October 27, 2012 by Yuber

[Nohbdy 4,108]

I participate in debates from time to time, but arguments with stupid people and trolls on the Internet--particularly those on sites like Youtube? Here's what I think:

 

 

 

[Dautt 77]

I sometimes like to argue and I also like to be annoying but I like to talk to someone who hates me for what I like or do and deny them the response they want which would be me raging, and instead be civil and polite.

[AustralianFries 213]

I like to get into debates, as long as I know the other person is... stable, and can accept when he/she is wrong. The thing is, there aren't many people in this world like that.

[Guest]

I think a lot of people like trying to persuade others to their belief even if it is feeble. I myself do it sometimes and I know several that do it too.

 

I think I'm addicted to correcting people or telling people how stuff works or how to do things. I just love being smart like that, it makes me feel good that I know stuff.

 

I'm addicted to knowledge, perfect!

[Cupcake Ice Cream 436]

Arguing is a pointless endeavor IMO. For that matter so is debate (to a lesser extent)

 

People argue and I swear most of them turn to belligerence and personal attacks. If somebody posts an inflammatory message...who cares? Why do we have to battle back? I think it's one thing to correct a person (IF what you are correcting is completely factual). If you want to tell me 2+2 does not equal 3...ok I am in and you win...if you are gonna tell me that being a certain political swing or religion is wrong when this isn't concrete...I could care less

 

I think people need to learn to step back and just give up trying to change everyone's minds. Most times they aren't going to change

[King Tryndamere 100]

Arguing is a pointless endeavor IMO. For that matter so is debate (to a lesser extent)

 

People argue and I swear most of them turn to belligerence and personal attacks. If somebody posts an inflammatory message...who cares? Why do we have to battle back? I think it's one thing to correct a person (IF what you are correcting is completely factual). If you want to tell me 2+2 does not equal 3...ok I am in and you win...if you are gonna tell me that being a certain political swing or religion is wrong when this isn't concrete...I could care less

 

I think people need to learn to step back and just give up trying to change everyone's minds. Most times they aren't going to change

 

I agree with you to an extent, but when people say something that is completely flawed and asinine, and could lead people to do bad things irl and/or belittle different groups of people, that's when I can no longer hold back and have to say something. And on topics where I am wrong, sometimes I actually learn something from my exchanges myself.

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

I do understand what you are saying here. Whenever i see things like this on youtube or even on xbox live... It frustrates me unto no end! I tend to ignore and move on but that is just me. But I do understand how it can make some people tick. There really isn't a point into arguing on the internet?! Everyone has their own opinions on stuff.

[Titan Rising 2,156]

Im not as much addicted to arguing as I am to letting people know that their opinion is their opinion and that they shouldnt present it as a fact

[Shanks 10,816]

There are times where it is entirely appropriate to tear someone a new one but there are also some times where some degree of tact is the right way to go and then there are times where it is just not worth it, I wish I had an easy answer for how to tell which is which but I unfortunately don't.

[Shankveld 4,949]

I prefer debating with intellectual parties on both sides.

It's frustrating to see such ignorance mixed with arrogance, but it's a waste of time.

On the farm we have a saying;

"Arguing with an idiot is like fighting with a pig. Both of you get dirty, but only one of you likes it."

~

[Tuxedo Kamen! 114]

I hate arguing!

but I normally do it anyway. I normally don't care whether I win or not, as long as we don't resort to stupid reasons, like Morgan Freeman has a kitten on his head therefore, your argument is invalid

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Im not as much addicted to arguing as I am to letting people know that their opinion is their opinion and that they shouldnt present it as a fact

How so? This is one problem that I don't think I've ever encountered. People have felt the need to remind me on occasion that something I've said is "just [my] opinion" though I have no idea why.

[Twilight Circuits 603]

 

How so? This is one problem that I don't think I've ever encountered. People have felt the need to remind me on occasion that something I've said is "just [my] opinion" though I have no idea why.

 

The knowledge and understanding of true critical thinking is the ability to acertain that the information that is coming to you may challenge your most cherished belief on the subject of conversation. Therefore, wisdom is gained from the ability to sort through both the external and internal data and arrive at a concrete conclusion from both. The real challenge is keeping the peace in your mind and the other persons when you know you may actually be right on the subject of the conversation.

[Bunches 81]

a friend of mine has the same problem, except he does it in person. which is fine, most of the time, we're out at the bar and can ignore him some of the time, or pawn him off on an unsuspecting bar patron who doesn't know what they are about to get themselves into. or just humor him, which usually just drives him insane. but occasionally he doesn't know when to stop and really upsets people. we have a friend who's fiance is very catholic, and our debater is very non-religious, so the two of them can get into some times. he's actually made her have to leave on occasion, because he just won't let up. he's lost roommates, friends, girlfriends, and jobs over this. overall, he's a great person, a good friend, don't get me wrong, but in order to keep a friendship with him you have to be about to say "dude let it go! im over it, and am not discussing this with you ANYMORE, now please pass the bong". so my advice, based on this friend's life, would be i guess it's fine to do it online, so long as you aren't spending 5 hours a day trolling the trolls, but be careful how far you take it in real life. perhaps join a debate team.

...is this topic more suited for life advice?

[Twilight Circuits 603]

I hate arguing!

but I normally do it anyway. I normally don't care whether I win or not, as long as we don't resort to stupid reasons, like Morgan Freeman has a kitten on his head therefore, your argument is invalid

 

If I remember a conversation with another pony I had from yesterday... The concentration of thinking habits such as those are what can lead to heart feeling empty.

[Bunches 81]

but when people say something that is completely flawed and asinine, and could lead people to do bad things irl and/or belittle different groups of people, that's when I can no longer hold back and have to say something

 

just thought id add here that you aren't going to save or change the world by arguing with people on the internet. idk where you are finding these comments that bother you so much, but that is a part of the internet and you aren't going to change that by debating it. there are alot of people who just say horrible things online because they can, and they enjoy getting a rise from people like you. but it sounds like you just like the act of arguing.

[Twilight Circuits 603]

a friend of mine has the same problem, except he does it in person. which is fine, most of the time, we're out at the bar and can ignore him some of the time, or pawn him off on an unsuspecting bar patron who doesn't know what they are about to get themselves into. or just humor him, which usually just drives him insane. but occasionally he doesn't know when to stop and really upsets people. we have a friend who's fiance is very catholic, and our debater is very non-religious, so the two of them can get into some times. he's actually made her have to leave on occasion, because he just won't let up. he's lost roommates, friends, girlfriends, and jobs over this. overall, he's a great person, a good friend, don't get me wrong, but in order to keep a friendship with him you have to be about to say "dude let it go! im over it, and am not discussing this with you ANYMORE, now please pass the bong". so my advice, based on this friend's life, would be i guess it's fine to do it online, so long as you aren't spending 5 hours a day trolling the trolls, but be careful how far you take it in real life. perhaps join a debate team.

...is this topic more suited for life advice?

 

I have actually seen this from a friend i used to know. It got the point that he was holding me back from personal growth and then had to say it was time to depart. I told exactly why. I saddens me to know that it hurt him, but I did give him the chance to come with me but all he wanted to do was drink some more.

He too had this problem, but i noticed it was enhanced with alcohol which made having a drink with him unpleasurable. One drink and that's it. The beligerance would then come right out.

From every thing that i have been to ascertain. I actually believe it to be the inability to analyse data and sort through it. But also, winning an arguement is false form of love they are clinging on to. Which is also further increased by others simply agreeing with them hoping to end another discussion which at that point is now pointless.

[Bunches 81]

.

 

sounds like you did what you had to do to watch out for youself. sorry your friend couldn't realize he was a problem for you and sort through it.