[Big Mac]

Has the Political Lounge changed your thinking on any particular subject, or even your world view, in any appreciable way? If the answer is yes, could you provide some details?

[subego]

I don't have any right-wingers in my immediate circle.

Without coming here, I would be utterly baffled by right-wing behavior and the underlying motivations thereof. As it stands, I have a way better understanding of it than anyone in my circle. They gave up years ago.

[dcmacdaddy]

It hasn't changed my beliefs so much as helped me to focus them by debating topics with others. So, it has been a change in emphasis not a change in belief/ideology. I am still a bit of an isolationist on foreign policy (both military and financial). And on domestic policy I am still a fiscal conservative with a socialist bent.

But, having been on here for 6+ years now I have a much better sense of how others think about issues--what makes them think the way they do--and that has been very enlightening in terms of understanding their motivations for their beliefs/ideologies.

[Dakar²]

I think the only way this place could not change your thinking to some degree is if you disbelieved absolutely everything said by people on the other side of your political spectrum (on every topic).

If that's the case, well, good luck.

[Doofy]

I haven't changed my view on anything but, as the other guys say, it's interesting to discuss why and how others think the way they do. It's especially interesting because of the international viewpoints (rather than just the national ones you'd get at the pub).

I'm still baffled by most lefties. Just can't get my head around their viewpoints at all and have still got most of them in the "hasn't been paying attention to anything other than second-hand leftie dogma" category. But very occasionally a glimpse of reasoning shines through.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by subego 

Without coming here, I would be utterly baffled by right-wing behavior and the underlying motivations thereof. As it stands, I have a way better understanding of it than anyone in my circle. They gave up years ago.

That's real easy. Just go read Ayn Rand's Anthem.

[Orion27]

I have a set of core beliefs but the forum adds perspective: The debate forces research such as it is. I've tried recently to moderate my voice in the discussion but as always passion rules.

[Big Mac]

Nice perspective, Orion.

[osiris]

I feel that the PL has substantially changed my thinking.
At one time, I believed that is was impossible for people to be so incredibly stupid.
Yet, this lounge changed all that.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by osiris 

I feel that the PL has substantially changed my thinking.
At one time, I believed that is was impossible for people to be so incredibly stupid.
Yet, this lounge changed all that.

yo

V

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by osiris 

I feel that the PL has substantially changed my thinking.
At one time, I believed that is was impossible for people to be so incredibly stupid.
Yet, this lounge changed all that.

Yeah, it's depressing how a few people come off as a caricature of their politics.

[sek929]

I think it would be impossible for anyone to say the P/L hasn't changed their thinking at all.

Those who replied no are being stubborn for the sake of being "right."

So yes, I've learned quite a bit from reading discussions in here, my overall core beliefs may stay the same but the people in here have had a great impact in the way I talk politics with normal people. I find myself playing devil's advocate with rabid anti-bush college students just to keep em in line.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

I haven't changed my view on anything but, as the other guys say, it's interesting to discuss why and how others think the way they do. It's especially interesting because of the international viewpoints (rather than just the national ones you'd get at the pub).

I'm still baffled by most lefties. Just can't get my head around their viewpoints at all and have still got most of them in the "hasn't been paying attention to anything other than second-hand leftie dogma" category. But very occasionally a glimpse of reasoning shines through.

I think that you tend to conflate UK lefties with US lefties - they are a much different breed based on what I've been hearing from you. Seeing as how you are a Libertarian, I'd be surprised if your viewpoints jived with a lot of the stuff the US Republicans are doing now, actually.

[besson3c]

You guys are probably going to label me as conceited or snobby or something of that nature, but the PL has reinforced to me that I'm somewhat unique. I'm unique in desiring civil discussion, and unique in being simultaneously male. I'm also somewhat unique in trying very hard to value intellect over dumb bravado, because it seems like anymore in this country it is the dumb bravado that "wins" arguments. It is actually quite depressing... There are many days I find my optimism in constant challenge.

[dcmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

I think that you tend to conflate UK lefties with US lefties - they are a much different breed based on what I've been hearing from you. Seeing as how you are a Libertarian, I'd be surprised if your viewpoints jived with a lot of the stuff the US Republicans are doing now, actually.

Yeah. US Lefties are like UK Centrists. The differences between the two main political parties in the US are not as great as in other countries. Nor are the differences as great as US political party members would like to believe. At the same time, with only two main parties, they have to "bring into the tent" extreme elements that in other countries could exist as fully functioning independent parties. So, while the Democrats have the pro-gay-marriage element in their tent the Republicans have the pro-christian-fundamentalism in their tent (as just one example of "fringe" elements being tacked on to the main party).

And Doofy, you may think you like what the Republicans stand for but if you were to see how they use the public purse to enrich business at the expense of citizenry, your Libertarian tendencies would explode in a rage. (NOTE: I am in no way saying the Democrats don't do similar things just merely pointing out that the political party you think you identify with is not really what it appears to be. Using the government's power-of-the-purse to enrich big business is pretty common to both political parties.)

[Gossamer]

Yep. It's taught me that it's better just to share my opinion and leave it at that, as arguing on the internet is quite worthless. It's also changed my perspective on quite a few issues.

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

It's taught me that it's better just to share my opinion and leave it at that, as arguing on the internet is quite worthless.

No it isn't.

Originally Posted by Gossamer 

It's also changed my perspective on quite a few issues.

Finally picked up a copy of Secret Garden and Babel, eh?

[BRussell]

Most of the time what happens is that I look for more evidence to defend my views than I normally would, so I just end up even more certain that I was right all along.

[OldManMac]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

Most of the time what happens is that I look for more evidence to defend my views than I normally would, so I just end up even more certain that I was right all along.

It hasn't changed me much. I'm way older than most of you, and not as extreme as I sometimes come across here. There are certain issues, like gay rights, public health concerns and the takeover of the American government by business (to the detriment of citizens) that I get a little riled up about, but I'm really a big, gentle bear! Most people tend to get more conservative as they age; I'm going in the opposite direction, as I see the change in direction that America is taking, and it scares the bejeezus out of me, in regards to what my grandkids will inherit.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

I think that you tend to conflate UK lefties with US lefties - they are a much different breed based on what I've been hearing from you.

Different breed on the outside. Similar core, as far as I can tell.

Originally Posted by besson3c 

Seeing as how you are a Libertarian, I'd be surprised if your viewpoints jived with a lot of the stuff the US Republicans are doing now, actually.

Yeah, the Republicans don't do much for me at all. Ronnie era, maybe a little. Nowadays, not a lot.

Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy 

And Doofy, you may think you like what the Republicans stand for

Narh. I just dislike them less than I dislike the Dems. Least of two evils, etc..

Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy 

but if you were to see how they use the public purse to enrich business at the expense of citizenry, your Libertarian tendencies would explode in a rage. (NOTE: I am in no way saying the Democrats don't do similar things just merely pointing out that the political party you think you identify with

The political party you think I identify with, you mean.

I'm actually fully in favour of banning *all* political parties.

[ink]

I've moved further left in the years that I've read the PWL. It's not entirely the content here, of course, but I believe it's had an influence. I don't want to start naming names, but I admire a few that used to post here, and some that continue to do so (on both "sides"; although I wish it weren't so entirely polarized).

[tie]

Not recently. I feel pretty smug posting now. Iraq has proven most of the people who argue against me to be gullible idiots with zero judgement.

These people who supported and continue to support a four-plus-year, two-trillion-dollar war that was supposed to cost thirty to fifty billion and be over in six weeks to six months -- who thought that weather balloon stations were mobile biological weapons factories, who believed that the US knew where Iraq's WMD were (as Rumsfeld claimed) yet wouldn't tell the UN weapons inspectors -- these people are pretty much provably idiots.

There are people whose opinions I might have taken seriously before -- e.g., SimeyTheLimey -- whom I'd just laugh at now. How completely clueless and gullible was Simey on the war? It's not that funny, though, because a lot of people have died because of this idiocy, and our nation is in trouble.

Iraq dominates this lounge, as it should, and one side has been wrong, wrong again, wrong yet again -- over and over wrong on Iraq. I can't take them seriously any more.

[Pendergast]

I answered yes, substantially, but probably not for the reasons you would have expected.

The first aspect that changed my thinking is my potential to endure a certain amount of exchanges. In the beginning, I argued strong, with quotes and forth and so on. But replies were either not equal in quality, or simple dismissals. I mean, I can only give so much and after a while, got tired of the game.

Then, I tried to have a different attitude; reading, questioning myself etc. by reading what others posted. I learned that some were doing a little less effort than I, and kept some stamina, but they also seemed to get tired of it (though not all).

Then I got really bored, and started to troll with not much efficiency, playing the game of turning some poster into the derision they really are, to wake up one day and realize that I was becoming not much else but that I despised... My job is very demanding, and the Pol Lounge turned into an outlet for my frustrations. That was not a brilliant decision on my part.

So I decided to drop off the Pol Lounge map, simply because I don't really belong here. I miss some exchanges, and some people here were either very entertaining, or interesting. The bullies I do not miss one bit, although I do regret some comments I made to anyone except one or two individuals.

The fact that English is my second language was also problematic, as I sometimes could not clue in on some comments, and totally misinterpreted some posters. That is not an excuse, but an explanation. That aspect alone was significant in my decision to get out of here.

I answered this poll because I thought important to share that, without the pretension of this being of much importance, but because the opportunity was offered.

[Atomic Rooster]

Yes, substantially...

It's made me more secure in my liberal thinking and more convinced of the right's complete wackiness.

An I mean wackos. Seems like most have deserted the PL though.