Has this site swayed your beliefs and opinions?

Dagless · Nov 2, 2012, 07:58 PM

Over the past few years I've really enjoyed reading the political threads here, each one usually has someone saying that people don't change their mind (or something like that). That discussing or arguing online is ultimately a pointless exercise.

But has anyone here changed their beliefs, opinions, thoughts because of what others have said?

myrtlebee · Nov 2, 2012, 08:11 PM

Absolutely not. If anything, it's reinforced my previous beliefs.

AlaskaMoose · Nov 2, 2012, 08:38 PM

No.

citizenzen · Nov 2, 2012, 08:53 PM

I can't say that I've changed my opinions.

But I certainly have enjoyed the conversations.

Ugg · Nov 2, 2012, 09:05 PM

It's expanded already existing beliefs but not changed them.

ucfgrad93 · Nov 2, 2012, 09:30 PM

No

thekev · Nov 2, 2012, 09:39 PM

Not really (in any situation that I can immediately think of), but it's interesting to read the reasoning provided by others when it's provided.

Thomas Veil · Nov 2, 2012, 09:41 PM

Yes. The anti-religion opinions of several people here came as a shock to me at first. But as I read and considered what they were saying, I found that their doubts made a lot of sense to me.

I can't give sole credit for my falling away from organized religion to this forum. I already had some doubts, and the politics of the religious right were already disgusting me. But this place gave me what was probably the biggest push in that direction.

I guess PRSI has also made me more anti-conservative than ever. Again, there were several other factors having nothing to do with MR, but reading some of the stuff from fivepoint and InTheNet pretty much deepened and solidified my distrust of far right ideologues.

IBradMac · Nov 2, 2012, 10:23 PM

Nope

184550 · Nov 2, 2012, 10:26 PM

No.

Moyank24 · Nov 2, 2012, 10:33 PM

Before I started coming into the PRSI, I was a heterosexual Republican.

I'm fairly certain that leekohler's posts made me gay.

MacNut · Nov 2, 2012, 10:58 PM

All it's really done is showed me that people would rather fight and insult each other instead of have a civil conversation. So yes it has swayed my belief in everyone getting along.

avro707 · Nov 2, 2012, 11:08 PM

Fighting over USA politics doesn't really change my beliefs. One, I'm not living over there, and two, the debate is just mud being thrown from one side to the other.

Though my country can't claim to be that much better either.

MadeTheSwitch · Nov 2, 2012, 11:36 PM

Actually certain things have made me change my opinion, other things have just left me shaking my head wondering how people can support such a shifty candidate for President or be homophobic.

SLC Flyfishing · Nov 2, 2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacNut

All it's really done is showed me that people would rather fight and insult each other instead of have a civil conversation. So yes it has swayed my belief in everyone getting along.

This!

Sydde · Nov 3, 2012, 01:45 AM

Not really affected my opinions, since they are quite diverse, but I have learned a few things. Most frequently, I learn not directly from a post but by doing some extra-curricular research pertaining to what underlies a poster's opinion. Acrimony can be, umm, fertile.

ixodes · Nov 3, 2012, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacNut

All it's really done is showed me that people would rather fight and insult each other instead of have a civil conversation.

I agree 100%.

Zombie Acorn · Nov 3, 2012, 02:09 AM

Yes, but not often.

Happybunny · 04:51 AM

Not changed my beliefs. I have heard some great points of view put out by various posters, and have been very entertained by some others.

But opened my eyes to the fact that America is obsessed with race.

Mord · Nov 3, 2012, 04:56 AM

Probably, though only because I started posting here when I was like 14 and obviously I've changed a lot in the past 10 years as anyone would, I've little doubt that I've been influenced during that time here and there.

I've always have been and likely always will be a left leaning atheist though.

boss.king · Nov 3, 2012, 05:18 AM

Not really. My opinions have changed in that time, but not because of what I read here. I has taught me that I'm stubborn though.

eawmp1 · Nov 3, 2012, 05:24 AM

As I am in my 40's and more set I'm my ways, I don't thing my beliefs have shifted much.

However, this is one place where I can find a bit of diversity (save our general admiration of Apple products) from my usual circle and engage those of differing beliefs. Dialogue is often missing in the "real" world.

Macman45 · Nov 3, 2012, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagless

Over the past few years I've really enjoyed reading the political threads here, each one usually has someone saying that people don't change their mind (or something like that). That discussing or arguing online is ultimately a pointless exercise.

But has anyone here changed their beliefs, opinions, thoughts because of what others have said?

Base my political persuasions on a Mac and Apple based web site? Err..No.

erratikmind · Nov 3, 2012, 12:25 PM

In a word . . . No.

firestarter · Nov 4, 2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagless

But has anyone here changed their beliefs, opinions, thoughts because of what others have said?

Yes.

I now believe there's a larger proportion of idiots in the world than I thought before I started reading these threads.

Nov 2, 2012, 07:58 PM	#1
Dagless macrumors Core Join Date: Jan 2005	Has this site swayed your beliefs and opinions? Over the past few years I've really enjoyed reading the political threads here, each one usually has someone saying that people don't change their mind (or something like that). That discussing or arguing online is ultimately a pointless exercise. But has anyone here changed their beliefs, opinions, thoughts because of what others have said? __________________ Maybe if everyone who'd ever been close to you had died, you'd be sarcastic, too. Also come join us Steam users!
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 08:38 PM	#3
AlaskaMoose macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alaska	No. __________________ iMac, and MacBook Pro Canon 7D, and 40D
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 09:05 PM	#5
Ugg macrumors 68000 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Penryn	It's expanded already existing beliefs but not changed them. __________________ Check out <Peter's family tree!
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 09:39 PM	#7
thekev macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2010	Not really (in any situation that I can immediately think of), but it's interesting to read the reasoning provided by others when it's provided. __________________ Legend has it that a bad GPU driver killed Intel's father. To this day intel can't bring themselves to write a good one.
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 09:41 PM	#8
Thomas Veil macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Reality	Yes. The anti-religion opinions of several people here came as a shock to me at first. But as I read and considered what they were saying, I found that their doubts made a lot of sense to me. I can't give sole credit for my falling away from organized religion to this forum. I already had some doubts, and the politics of the religious right were already disgusting me. But this place gave me what was probably the biggest push in that direction. I guess PRSI has also made me more anti-conservative than ever. Again, there were several other factors having nothing to do with MR, but reading some of the stuff from fivepoint and InTheNet pretty much deepened and solidified my distrust of far right ideologues. __________________ This is the beginning of a serious conversation. We won't be taking questions today. -- Then-NRA President David Keene
	5

Nov 2, 2012, 08:11 PM	#2
myrtlebee macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2011	Absolutely not. If anything, it's reinforced my previous beliefs.
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 08:53 PM	#4
citizenzen macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2010	I can't say that I've changed my opinions. But I certainly have enjoyed the conversations.
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 09:30 PM	#6
ucfgrad93 macrumors G4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado	No
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 10:23 PM	#9
IBradMac macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ohio	Nope
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 10:26 PM	#10
184550 Guest Join Date: May 2008	No.
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 10:33 PM	#11
Moyank24 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: in a New York State of mind	Before I started coming into the PRSI, I was a heterosexual Republican. I'm fairly certain that leekohler's posts made me gay.
	20

Nov 2, 2012, 10:58 PM	#12
MacNut macrumors P6 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: CT	All it's really done is showed me that people would rather fight and insult each other instead of have a civil conversation. So yes it has swayed my belief in everyone getting along.
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 11:08 PM	#13
avro707 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2010	Fighting over USA politics doesn't really change my beliefs. One, I'm not living over there, and two, the debate is just mud being thrown from one side to the other. Though my country can't claim to be that much better either. __________________ Website Mac Pro 5,1 \| iMac \| iPhone 5 64gb \| Nikon D800e \| Nikon D3s
	0

Nov 2, 2012, 11:36 PM	#14
MadeTheSwitch macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2009	Actually certain things have made me change my opinion, other things have just left me shaking my head wondering how people can support such a shifty candidate for President or be homophobic.
	2

Nov 3, 2012, 01:45 AM	#16
Sydde macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2009	Not really affected my opinions, since they are quite diverse, but I have learned a few things. Most frequently, I learn not directly from a post but by doing some extra-curricular research pertaining to what underlies a poster's opinion. Acrimony can be, umm, fertile. __________________ Mr. Paul, sir, I thought you should be advised, there seems to be a zombie tribble clinging to your head, for it is scarfing your brain
	1

Nov 3, 2012, 02:09 AM	#18
Zombie Acorn macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario	Yes, but not often.
	0

Nov 3, 2012, 04:20 AM	#19
Happybunny macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 's-Hertogenbosch Netherlands	Not changed my beliefs. I have heard some great points of view put out by various posters, and have been very entertained by some others. But opened my eyes to the fact that America is obsessed with race. __________________ 'You cannot undo history, but you can learn from it' Last edited by Happybunny; Nov 3, 2012 at 04:51 AM.
	0

Nov 3, 2012, 04:56 AM	#20
Mord macrumors Demi-Goddess Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Old York	Probably, though only because I started posting here when I was like 14 and obviously I've changed a lot in the past 10 years as anyone would, I've little doubt that I've been influenced during that time here and there. I've always have been and likely always will be a left leaning atheist though.
	1

Nov 3, 2012, 05:18 AM	#21
boss.king macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2009	Not really. My opinions have changed in that time, but not because of what I read here. I has taught me that I'm stubborn though. __________________ LG Nexus 4 iPad Mini
	0

Nov 3, 2012, 05:24 AM	#22
eawmp1 macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL	As I am in my 40's and more set I'm my ways, I don't thing my beliefs have shifted much. However, this is one place where I can find a bit of diversity (save our general admiration of Apple products) from my usual circle and engage those of differing beliefs. Dialogue is often missing in the "real" world.
	1

Nov 3, 2012, 12:25 PM	#24
erratikmind macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: S.F./Las Vegas	In a word . . . No. __________________ San Francisco Giants . . . Humm Baby! 2010 and 2012 World Series Champions
	0

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