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Arguing online, why do we do it?

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Press Junketeer
Posts: 407
Joined: 28 Apr 2008

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?

Muckraker
Posts: 289
Joined: 10 Aug 2008

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

image

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3008
Joined: 7 Oct 2008

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.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 536
Joined: 23 Apr 2008

Its fun.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 935
Joined: 22 Jul 2008

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.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2538
Joined: 29 Mar 2008

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

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3587
Joined: 6 Aug 2008

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

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1809
Joined: 8 Nov 2008

Fun.

Copy Clerk
Posts: 116
Joined: 22 Aug 2008

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.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3086
Joined: 13 Jul 2008

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.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 931
Joined: 17 Sep 2008

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.

Anonymous Source
Posts: 4
Joined: 25 Dec 2008

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

BANNED
Posts: 3535
Joined: 11 Oct 2008

I don't know.
Why do people actually argue in real life?
Why does my philosophy teacher starts debates in our classes?
Why did Aristotle dedicated his life in refining the way of debating conceptions with other people?

Personally I find it fun to argue my ideas with someone because I can learn something out of it and hopefully teach some. If people are however to stubborn to see the other side of the picture then I stop trying to argue and start trolling instead, which is equally fun.

User was banned for: FUN FORUM GAME THX FO PLAYIN :3. (Permanent)
Copy Clerk
Posts: 56
Joined: 11 Sep 2008

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

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2843
Joined: 1 Feb 2008

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.

Muckraker
Posts: 261
Joined: 23 Nov 2007

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.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1504
Joined: 6 Sep 2008

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.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 509
Joined: 6 Mar 2008

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?..

BANNED
Posts: 1198
Joined: 6 Sep 2008

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

User was banned for: Banning poems from schools in the UK. (Permanent)
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3781
Joined: 29 Dec 2007

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

image

That picture shows me and many other escapists.

Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 575
Joined: 19 Sep 2008

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.

Beat Writer
Posts: 148
Joined: 20 Dec 2008

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.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 857
Joined: 24 Mar 2008

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.

Muckraker
Posts: 270
Joined: 24 Jul 2008

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

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1615
Joined: 16 Jan 2008

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.

Muckraker
Posts: 267
Joined: 4 Dec 2008

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

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

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1685
Joined: 7 Feb 2008

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.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2638
Joined: 2 Aug 2008

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.

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3435
Joined: 28 Jun 2008

What else would we be doing?

Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2167
Joined: 11 Nov 2008

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

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 796
Joined: 6 Dec 2007

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.

Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 809
Joined: 22 Oct 2008

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.

image

Muckraker
Posts: 267
Joined: 4 Dec 2008

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.

Beat Writer
Posts: 175
Joined: 11 Nov 2008

Because i love annoying people!

Copy Clerk
Posts: 59
Joined: 27 Dec 2008

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.

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