Why Do You Spend Your Time Debating Issues Here?

[jyl]

This is a serious question. Why do you spend time here, debating or discussing or ranting over the issues we talk about on OT?

Why do you consider it worth your time and energy? Do you have the same discussions and arguments on other online boards? In your offline life? Do you take the same positions, or take them as strongly, in other forums? Why don't you just go watch TV, have a beer, read a book, etc?

I think it is an interesting question, considering how many people devote a substantial amount of their energy and free time to PPOT.

I'll start: I come here because I seldom have the opportunity to debate political, economic, etc, issues in my offline life. Being in Berkeley, I find that my friends tend to have views fairly close to mine, in many cases they are to the left of me. Debates are not very interesting when both agree. Here I get to hear from people with views very different than my own, and many express those views clearly and with supporting data and reasoning. Quite often I find that my own views are influenced by the discussions here, at a minimum I have to think harder about my views. A couple of years on PPOT has actually shifted me on some issues.

(Of course, PPOT is also a good place to answer "how to" questions like what do you use to shoot rats and so on. But I'm asking here about the political threads.)

[cantdrv55]

I'm in sales and the last thing I would talk to my customers about is politics. This is where I get my fix. My wife is to the left of me and arguing with her is a losing battle on so many levels.

[84porsche]

It's easier to dabte an issue because we are all behind a computer and we really don't know each other. I am almost to 2600 posts and I can't tell you the countless information about a wide variety of topics I have learned. You should see me trying to explain this in the real world. My Porsche buddies or this happened to a Porsche guy I know or you don't know who Jack O is. Plus if I type it, you guys listen or read it whether you want to or not and then put in your own 2 cents.

[Victor]

Great question.

I reckon it is human nature to try and project one's own values, beliefs and convictions on to others. PP OT BBS is a great vehicle to exercise this behaviour as it is anonymous and best of all: consequence free.

[Victor]

* Consequence free untill the radical far right contingent chime in and start circle jerkin' that is.

[competentone]

Why do you spend time here, debating or discussing or ranting over the issues we talk about on OT?

It's primarily entertainment for me; it's fun!

Why do you consider it worth your time and energy?

Having fun is important to me.

Do you have the same discussions and arguments on other online boards? In your offline life?

Yes, and yes.

Do you take the same positions, or take them as strongly, in other forums?

Yes.

Why don't you just go watch TV, have a beer, read a book, etc?

There is often nothing worth watching on TV; I hate beer; read a book? -- that's a good suggestion...

[rick-l]

I just look at the pictures

[stevepaa]

There are some interesting points raised by many. And there are extremists on both sides that provide a little rancor. Sometimes, hardly often, I can make truly factual rebuttals to misinformation. Mostly, the diversity of opinions and the clarity some show with the written word brings me here. And sometimes there are the "I never heard that before" moments.

[Mulhollanddose]

I fear socialism and I love my country. I will not let socialism and its utopian false promises ruin this country.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Ya'll make me laugh!

(BTW, it's "at", not "with".)

[dd74]

I no longer have any idea why...

[M.D. Holloway]

Markus - normally I have about three things going on at once - if at home its the lap top, the TV and this site, at work, its reports, the phone and this site, e-mail. Its a diversion.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by dd74
I no longer have any idea why...

My strategy is taking effect...."Excellent!"

[HardDrive]

You say things on the internet that you would never say to someones face. I find it liberating. I enjoy life when the gloves come off. Of course the fact that I spent 16 hours a day in front of a computer makes it an easy output for my caffiene induced ranting....

[jorian]

Because I'm always right damn it. Or is it left?

[SlowToady]

You say things on the internet that you would never say to someones face.

Nah, I find it to be the other way around. I say things to peoples faces that I'd never say on the internet. Why? The internet leaves a paper trail

I almost never post in OT but spend a good deal of time reading it. Like the 2 and a half hours I just spent reading OT posts. Why? It amuses me.

[livi]

Where else are you surrounded by a large number of intelligent, passionate and knowledgeable people with all kinds of background and experience willing to share ? Its like an immense second family gathered around one common passion.

Oh, and being a durn for'ner makes you all my personal English language teachers. Much appreciated !

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by jyl
I'll start: I come here because I seldom have the opportunity to debate political, economic, etc, issues in my offline life. Being in Berkeley, I find that my friends tend to have views fairly close to mine, in many cases they are to the left of me. Debates are not very interesting when both agree. Here I get to hear from people with views very different than my own, and many express those views clearly and with supporting data and reasoning. Quite often I find that my own views are influenced by the discussions here, at a minimum I have to think harder about my views. A couple of years on PPOT has actually shifted me on some issues.

Exactly the same here...except that most of my friends are to the right of me in their political views.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
I fear socialism and I love my country. I will not let socialism and its utopian false promises ruin this country.

I could deal with socialism if I had to; the greater evil is the fascism that Bush, Cheney & company brought to the party.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism#Definition

[legion]

It started with my desire to enlighten the clueless art majors in college. I thought for certain that once I left academia, I wouldn't see so much ignorance about how the world really works. I have been sorely disappointed.

One of these days, I will get myself a sledgehammer. I will engrave the face of the sledgehammer with the world "Reality". I will go around and hit clueless people in the head with the sledgehammer, in the hope that a little bit of Reality finally gets through their thick skulls.