interesting theory on subsim GT effects on life's views

[Freiwillige]

I'll say it. This forum makes you think....allot. That alone has had a profound effect on many of my stances on politics, life, etc. I feel that I have become more centered politically because guys like Mookie and Tribesman make me defend my views constantly and the effect of that is that I had to rethink non defend-able views. While we will probably never agree I want to say thanks for broadening my horizons. Sometimes digging in your heals just for the sake of digging in your heals just is not a good enough reason.

So has this forum opened anybody else minds a bit and slewed your opinions a bit more to the center?

[CCIP]

More than anything, I think it gave me reason to respect certain kinds of views that I don't necessarily agree with, which is already a great thing imo. It's also made me more alert of when I just need to cool it down and avoid pursuing a topic. I've always been fairly pragmatic on individual issues even when my overall views are pretty far out (i.e. far left). While GT has made me wary of what otherwise-reasonable people read or believe sometimes, it's also had its share of positives. GT is also just among a number of things that has been helpful in getting me to have a better understanding and respect for the world views of people from certain nations and/or walks of life that I wouldn't otherwise run into. For me it's people like Sailor Steve and Takeda whose posts I find most valuable for examining my views, because they're very good at using logic and common sense, and aren't looking for fights or scoring points on others - and their views are generally coming from a very different standpoint in life than my 'native' one which is good food for thought for me. IMO it's much easier to see the world from someone else's perspective when that person's logic is sound and their tone isn't meant to drive you up the wall or turn you off.

[the_tyrant]

Yes, I agree!
so to all my friends at subsim:

[mookiemookie]

Yes. It brings me back to debate class in high school where you'd get dinged for making personal attacks, logical fallacies, etc.

It really does make you examine your views. Good stuff.

[AVGWarhawk]

If anything the GT forums have a diversity of people with different ideals and experiences. Truth be told, speaking with those around the world has broaden my horizons 100 fold. The forums certainly makes one contemplate others outlook on events and life in general.

[Thunder]

Certainly has.
Further, for some of us who don't comment often, but are here most days, the "leanings" of many regular posters comes though (although just when you think you got em figured out, they throw a curve ball)

When discussions arise, with differing views, it is often a learning experience , with points and experiences allowing you to see the world through another's eyes.

Always interesting stuff.

[Sailor Steve]

I like the fact that I'm actually discussing things with people all over the world. That, and here at Subsim some of us don't remain strangers behind our monitors. Many of us have met each other, and I've had a few entertaining phone conversations over the years. More than any other site I've seen Subsim members are real people to me.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by Freiwillige

I'll say it. This forum makes you think....allot.

Obviously not about any of Sailor Steves grammatical posts, unless 'allot' is just to wind him up

I think left/right/center these days, in Britain at least, is all a bit of a mish-mash. We've had Blair pretending to be Tory, Tories trying to be Liberals, and Liberals trying to be no so sat on the damn fence. That said, I do generally read quite a bit of what's written here - sometimes I look at the size of the block of text, and the auther, and think - nah! I also get bored the the constant (less so now) bashing of certain people/things - Obama for one, sure, I don't have to endure his policies, but I also don't have to endure his bashing/praise/bashing/praise...

So, I am generally right, but I look at the middle bit, and the left occasionally, whether it's through GT or R/L.

[Betonov]

There's an entire essay I could write on this topic Maybe I'll start it when I finish my war

[krashkart]

I'm not sure that my political views have shifted much through my reading of various threads here. I know where I stand on certain topics, and other topics I either don't care about or simply haven't heard about. But the short of it is that I don't read very many political topics here or anywhere else.

The most important thing I've learned here is that most of my posts never get posted. Why? Sometimes when I proofread a post that I've been working on it is so full of holes, contradictions, and reiterations of the same points that I come to realize just how disorganized and subjective my train of thought is. Other times what I write is simply the end result of a day that hasn't gone the way I would have liked it to.

[Armistead]

Life and people changed my political views. I was once a fundy hard line GOP member, now I'm moderate to liberal, but generally hate that our nation for many reasons has become so divided.

Many of us are controlled by sound bites, media coverage, etc...that's why elections are just a propaganda drama to gain control of weak minds.

Most of us base our beliefs due to culture and what works for us, so people with different cultural experinences believe different.

Now I look and deal with facts, not emotions based on ideals.

[Diopos]

Subsim's GT?
Subsim in general?
Well it's one good reason for connecting to the internet. Most days it's the only good reason!



.

[Platapus]

GT would be great if the posts did not devolve into emotional posts, illogical arguments without data, and ad hominem attacks against posters.

The few times a good discussion happens on GT, there is a selection of posters, and unfortunately they are some of the more active, who drag the thread down with attacks on people or just simply illogical "arguments" that don't add anything significant to the discussion. This is especially true in the political threads.

More and more there are simply threads I don't bother to open because I know where it will end up. I sometimes forget and accidentally open them only to discover that I was right.

It really is too bad, for occasionally there are good threads and people willing to discuss them intellectually. But it seldom lasts.

I wonder how many potential new members are turned off by some of the GT posts?

[krashkart]

Could be worse; GT could read like a YouTube comments section.


Thankfully there is alot more to Subsim than the GT section.


Furthermore...