Think Tank

I used to feel that way, but fortunately I've stopped caring completely. Salvation is out there brother.

Don't we all? Though I will admit, as I get older, I find myself increasingly more concerned with actually understanding issues than I am with being right. I mean, I've completely abandoned even having a position on global warming. I find myself, not necessarily questioning my political beliefs, but certainly questioning what they represent, what they mean, why I feel the way I do.

I love that...I'm going to make an avatar out of it for my political blog.

My god, that's so true. You'd think it'd be hard to get emotionally invested in an argument with people you've never met and probably never will meet, but I somehow manage it all the time.
Also, I want to add how awesome General Discussion is. After getting into a heated argument with some in Think Tank, I can come here and shoot the breeze with the same person about how addicted we are to video games or whatever.

That's why I love free societies. You can be completely disgusted with someone, but still agree to be otherwise civil and respectful. I have had many interesting and enjoyable friendships with people whose opinions disgust me, but we had other things in common, like videogames, or snowboarding or whatever.

Bel, I just posted much the same thing in a think tank thread. I know people who can get my blood boiling politically - both online and off - but that I really enjoy spending time with and value as good friends.

Also, did anyone notice the mouseover for that comic yet? I didn't catch that the first time around =)

Huh.

I don't want to sound pretentious, but this actually isn't how I see the way I post in such debates.

For me, it's all about trying to represent and express myself and the views I hold. I may not like what other people think, but that's their business; but I want to make sure that my viewpoint is heard as well. I want the picture painted to be a more fair one.

Now, if someone is standing up for something that I think is actually harmful... some kind of legal rights subjugation that they see as morally right, or a type of discrimination that looks harmful to my biased eyes, or if violence is somehow involved, then yes, I may actually try to change someone's mind. I impose if I think it will benefit.

But that's not what makes debates addictive; I just really love trying to get my thoughts out, clearly, completely. I get so few chances to do it in real life because either no one is interested/there's no appropriate opportunity, or because I for some reason have to keep it hidden from X person (gender issues and such). There's something that just doesn't get old about expressing, 100%, the way I feel, honestly and openly.

That's why I ramble on in places like think tank now and then. ^.^ Perhaps I'm airheaded and full of myself since I apparently love talking about it that way, but eh, if someone finds it interesting or asks a good question or is otherwise positively influenced/enjoyed it, cool!

P.S.: XKCD = awesome.