Yep, and generally, when I'm speaking to someone who is reasonable about his position, I take a more reasonable approach.
But the goal of arguing on the internet is not to change the mind of the opponent, but to show everyone watching that he's an idiot, so don't follow him.
*That's* the role of the asshole. A mild-mannered, softer approach not only does not work on those same people, but it also doesn't sway the viewers, because the viewers are swayed by passionate and emotional speeches and pithy soundbites. Many a respectable scientist has lost his debate even with all the facts on his side simply because the opposition was more charismatic.
Look at the video of Thunderf00t vs. Ray Comfort on YouTube, for example. Thunderf00t's normal videos are great, they're filled with passion and reason and related imagery. But when he spoke face to face with Ray Comfort, a charismatic and highly deluded jerk, he was totally bogged down in the details and the "wishy-washy" language that is the cornerstone of science, while Ray seemed much more dynamic.
To the fence-sitters watching, Ray's position was much more compelling, and that's such a shame because he was so, so wrong.
But that's why there is a need for a variety of tactics. The Bitch happens to suit me best :-)
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Date: 10/29/09 04:29 pm (UTC)From:But the goal of arguing on the internet is not to change the mind of the opponent, but to show everyone watching that he's an idiot, so don't follow him.
*That's* the role of the asshole. A mild-mannered, softer approach not only does not work on those same people, but it also doesn't sway the viewers, because the viewers are swayed by passionate and emotional speeches and pithy soundbites. Many a respectable scientist has lost his debate even with all the facts on his side simply because the opposition was more charismatic.
Look at the video of Thunderf00t vs. Ray Comfort on YouTube, for example. Thunderf00t's normal videos are great, they're filled with passion and reason and related imagery. But when he spoke face to face with Ray Comfort, a charismatic and highly deluded jerk, he was totally bogged down in the details and the "wishy-washy" language that is the cornerstone of science, while Ray seemed much more dynamic.
To the fence-sitters watching, Ray's position was much more compelling, and that's such a shame because he was so, so wrong.
But that's why there is a need for a variety of tactics. The Bitch happens to suit me best :-)