We've all done it, we all felt a little bit silly.
On issues ranging from religion to games, from the most mundane to the most crucial.
Most of us have been involved in hours and hours of debating with people we don't know and will never meet. People whos' opinion doesn't really effect our lives even in the slightest. And still we will spend the energy and time on endless debate.

Why do you think we do it? And is it worth it?

Because someone being wrong on the internet is the worst thing of evar!

It's not worth it, but sometimes I think I'm right and the other person is wrong. I'd say that's the beginning of an argument. Also, occasionally I might make a fairly innocent comment and be attacked for it. If I feel the other person is being too unreasonable or personal in their criticism, I might respond (which will inevitably escalate the conflict.)

It's not worth it, however, because nobody will ever admit they're wrong about anything. Ever. Me included.

Its fun.

In the hope that a lot of people agree with you, giving you a feeling of superiority over the one you're arguing with and therefore increasing your narcistic feelings.

i do it because nobody listens to me. Here or in real life

People in real life are easy. Here it's a bit harder. And it's much easier to pay attention.

Fun.

If I'm bored enough to browse the Net/this site, then I'll probably be bored enough to join an e-fight as well.

Short: It's something to do.

I tend to challenge people's misconceptions in real life too, it's a habit. It's a good way to lose friends, and to gain them. It balances itself out in the end, like argument karma.

Online you can get the perspectives of many different people from many different backgrounds, this is not something you can just do in real life. In this same way I am taught by and can teach others from anywhere at any time.

EDIT: I am similar to Crouton, I point out the obvious wrong in some peoples understanding of the world and try to help them understand why it is wrong, if others do the same to me I will happily accept if given sufficient evidence.

Because we want to have a fight and we're much better at when we use a keyboard and are several thousand miles away.

we argue in the hope of making the world a better place by putting the best answers (in our opinion) out there.... that and it can be a fun pastime

We debate and discuss because we are interested in a topic and have opposing viewpoints. We fight because, when you type, you can't hear how dumb what you are saying really sounds. I swear to god if I were using speech input rather than typing, I'd never get into half the dumbass fights I get into.

Successfully showing superiority or seniority over someone in a forum of public discussion, for all to see, would surely get the endorphines flowing, psychologically speaking. I don't tend to myself, but if I did it would be for either sh!ts and giggles or annoyance at someones absolute falicy.

I do it because I know, that in my own mind, I'm right, and if the other person doesn't realize that, they're wrong.

Read into that one a little bit.

Nah, nevermind. There's nothing there.

It's basic human nature to want to be right, I suppose... And we all feel that burning rage when someone wants to prove you're wrong. But without using curse words or caps lock how can you be sure you're even arguing?..

falcontwin:
Because someone being wrong on the internet is the worst thing of evar!

That picture shows me and many other escapists.

asiepshtain:
We've all done it, we all felt a little bit silly.
On issues ranging from religion to games, from the most mundane to the most crucial.
Most of us have been involved in hours and hours of debating with people we don't know and will never meet. People whos' opinion doesn't really effect our lives even in the slightest. And still we will spend the energy and time on endless debate.

Why do you think we do it? And is it worth it?

Omg OP ur so dumb and stoopid!!!!

I don't know, maybe because I like debating, and the internet is a great forum (heh) to do that on. Plus have you never come across someone who just infuriates the shit out of you? (I'm looking at you the whole of the YouTube community.)

zhoomout:
Because the person wont just come up to you and bash you in the face like they can in real life.

This does factor into that too, admitidley, but really I just like to get my opinion across and having someone else there who disagrees just makes me feel somewhat validated. Also gives me an excuse to fire up the ol' rage hat.

As a fellow troll, I would have to say that its easy to rant/rave for anyone who has a job with too much down time to hop on a forum and vent.

for me it is when someone acts the all knowing wizard that I begin to argue. If someone is going to be smug and either say something that is totally or partially wrong as if it is absolute fact, or form an opinion and explain why anyone who doesn't share that opinion is stupid, or uninformed, or of a lower taste level, I'll argue because I don't think a person should act like a douchebag and feel happy or content about it.

So, for me, it is a responsive reflex. and then of course that causes another response that causes another response. I ended up turning my system quote notification off so that I wouldn't fall into that trap.

Because we love to argue. Debating could arguably be the highest form of communication.

The joy of the internet is that any opinion you have, no matter how reasonable or logical, a hundred people will disagree with you, and someone can put forward a good point as to why you're wrong. Nothing wrong with practising your debating skills in your free time.

jim_doki:
i do it because nobody listens to me. Here or in real life

Shut up!! You're wrong!!! ;-)

That's the real point of a forum. We state our opinions, and obviously disagreements will follow suit. If I'm not feeling too lazy, I'll go from one end of the internet to the other to prove my point.

Why do we argue? What the bloody hell should we do then?

Guy number 1: "Yeah, you know that game? Super Mario Bros? Well, it isn't 8-bit!"
Guy number 2: "Just for the sake of not feeling silly, I am not going to argue. No, SMB is not 8-bit. What do you propose it is?"
Guy number 3: "1-bit!"
Guy number 1 and 2 high-five eachother and scream: "High-five!"

...

Come on now, that would be boring as hell. Arguing is what forums are for. If it wouldn't, moderators would be out of their jobs, and forums just would cease to exist.

What else would we be doing?

asiepshtain:
We've all done it, we all felt a little bit silly.
On issues ranging from religion to games, from the most mundane to the most crucial.
Most of us have been involved in hours and hours of debating with people we don't know and will never meet. People whos' opinion doesn't really effect our lives even in the slightest. And still we will spend the energy and time on endless debate.

Why do you think we do it? And is it worth it?

the first 6 posters pretty much summed it up

Logan Keller:
Because we love to argue. Debating could arguably be the highest form of communication.

I disagree. :P

No, I jest. You are right. Discussion is a good way of passing time, if nothing else, just to practice. Biggest problem is when people can't admit defeat or learn anything. Seems to be a very common thing on the webz.

There are 2 very different things arguing and debating. Arguing is simply 2 people who are not willing to listen to each other enforcing their views on one another, while debating is presenting valid arguments to sustain your point at which the other party responds in kind. That being said.

Ronwue:
There are 2 very different things arguing and debating. Arguing is simply 2 people who are not willing to listen to each other enforcing their views on one another, while debating is presenting valid arguments to sustain your point at which the other party responds in kind. That being said.

http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xpgewdphwaa6.jpg

LOL. Well, you've made an excellent point. Although now i'm wondering if that still aplies as a compliment.

Because i love annoying people!

Several reasons:

1. If its in jest, its fun. Nothing like arguing with someone on the internet about extremely trivial and useless things

2. Feels good, man.

3. Unless you are doing it on like, IRC or some Instant Messaging client it gives you a great amount of time to analyze the other person's argument, formulate your own, and search for viable sources that can back up your argument and everyone can agree upon.

4. Allows people who are normally shy about their opinions to speak out.

5. Its excellent practice, in my opinion.