Is debating politics a waste of time?

1. 59

   mortimerjacksonposted 13 years ago

   Is debating politics a waste of time?
   
   At the wee old age of 21, I've come to see debating politics as one of the most fruitless endeavors one can ever take part in. People are more ingrained to their own group philosophy than facts.
   
   What do you guys think?

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2. 64

   christopherantonposted 13 years ago

   If you lived in one of the countries where people are being machine gunned, just because they want to debate politics, you wouldnt be asking that question.

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3. 61

   nightwork4posted 13 years ago

   debating politics is one of the things freedom is  about. when you research what you are saying, you can often show others what is really going on in the political stage and perhaps cause them to rethink their ideas. without debate we a bound to repeat foolish beliefs.

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   junksellerposted 13 years ago

   I think it is sort of like watching TV. Sometimes you have to flip through a bunch of channels to find something to watch. It isn't always useless, but it is difficult.
   
   It is helpful to develop the ability to quickly recognize channels that aren't worth your time. People who use no evidence to support their claims and people who are insulting are people I will generally immediately tune out, because they obviously aren't interested in debate.
   
   Part of why it is so hard in America I think is because faith is so strongly intertwined with politics, and faith by definition is that for which there is no evidence. When you try to have a conversation with someone about global warming and they tell you that only god can destroy the world, there really isn't any debate that can be had.

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5. 59

   mortimerjacksonposted 13 years ago

   @ nightwork4
   
   I have not found very many instances where intellectual debate stirs positive results. Recently California had a ballot measure that would legalize marijuana. The only reason this ballot lost was not because people didn't like the idea (overwhelming amount of people supported it). The reason it didn't pass was because propaganda won out by making people believe that the bill would allow people to drive/work stoned.
   
   In this, it is not debate that has won, but fear mongering.
   
   @ christopheranton
   
   Please name me one country where people are being machine gunned for simply debating politics. Actually, better yet, don't reply. I don't want this board being cluttered up with nonsensical rhetoric.
   
   @ junkseller
   
   The biggest problem with debating politics I find, is that people are more ingrained in group think than anything else. People proactively identify themselves as liberals, conservatives, "values" voters, etc. The thing that has made debating politics useless is that the opinions of the people you debate with aren't really their own. They belong to a group, whose ideologies they adopt wholesale.
   
   In a recent interview, Justin Bieber said that Canada had better healthcare than the US, and that abortion is murder. This pissed off conservatives and liberals. Based on these opinions however, is Justin Bieber a "conservative" or a "liberal"? Because to me, he sounds like a person who has his own opinions.

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   Mr. Happyposted 13 years ago

   A waste of time? I beg to differ. Simply discussing things is of great importance. Sharing thoughts, opinions and such is the only way we can have societies functioning properly.
   People as individuals have different values and morals at times, through politics we try to create working laws to structure societies which can be welcoming for everyone. To be involved in politics is your duty as a member of a society. Thus, we have to debate, talk, share knowledge and so on. It is a must.

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7. 60

   runescapeprivateposted 13 years ago

   Pretty much, besides particular issues most people have their minds made up.

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8. 0

   Paul Cheslerposted 13 years ago

   Yes, at least it should be.  But with how many people that stuff ballots with stupid ideas, sometimes it is necessary.  By the way, didn't you ever wonder if all those activists who were protesting something were just paid to do that by one rich guy who was ticked?

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   DJProfessorKposted 12 years ago

   On the contrary, that's what being a citizen is all about. Fulfilling civic duties (i.e. voting) carries a great impact in all levels of a nation (local, state/provincial, federal).
   
   While many people are stubborn when it comes to politics, that usually has to do with the smoke and mirror routine that American politics has become. The art of civil discourse has been lost, but it'll come back.

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