Should You Argue Online?
Learn how to win an argument online, when to bow out, and how to respectfully engage people you don’t agree with.
Is the Internet Making you Meaner? • Does the Internet Make...
SUBSCRIBE so you never miss a video!
bit.ly/3tNKzhV
And follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
/ abovethenoisepbs
/ atn_pbs
*Can you win an argument online?*
The Internet is known for bringing out the worst in people, thanks to something called the disinhibition effect. There are certain aspects of being online that actually lower people’s inhibitions, so people will do or say things they normally wouldn’t do IRL, which can make for some seriously toxic conversations. BUT, under the right conditions, people can and do actually engage in meaningful dialogue and sometimes change their minds about hot-button issues. The “Change my View” subreddit is an online community where people who are open to changing their minds engage in discourse around various topics, and sometimes people do indeed change their minds.
*What gets people to change their mind online?*
Researchers at Cornell University studied the Change My View subreddit to find out what kind of arguments get people to change their minds. A person is more likely to change their mind if they are presented with an argument with a completely different view than what they were originally thinking. In other words-- if you’re able to present an argument that the other person has never considered before, you’re more likely to change their mind. Researchers also found that citing sources and having multiple rounds of back and forth makes it more likely that someone will change their mind.
*How can you tell if someone won't change their mind?*
Researchers found that while having multiple rounds of back and forth was helpful, if you got past 5 rounds, you’ll probably be unsuccessful. Also, if the person you are arguing with is using “we” instead of “I,” they probably aren’t going to change their mind. This signals that the person you talking with is representing group-think rather than their individual opinion. So in this case, it’s much harder to change a group’s mind than individuals.
*How can you have meaningful conversations online with people you disagree with?*
There are different strategies on how to talk to people you disagree with, like finding the common ground and being respectful. It’s also important to remain calm, and not let emotions get out of hand. Another tip is to attack the argument, not the person, and to use “I” statements rather than “you.” Instead of saying “you are such an idiot,” say something like, “I disagree with that view because…” And it’s important to listen to the other point of view-- it’s easy to dismiss any argument when you feel like you are right, but you might learn something if you actually listen. A good conversation should be about connecting with our common humanity rather than trying to “win” an argument.
SOURCES
Winning Arguments: Interaction Dynamics and Persuasion Strategies in Good-faith Online Discussions
arxiv.org/pdf/1602.01103.pdf
Your Brain Is Hooked On Being Right (Harvard Business School)
hbr.org/2013/02/break-your-ad...
How to Argue on the Internet without Losing Your Mind (NY Times)
www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/sm...
How to respectfully Disagree online (Netsafe)
www.netsafe.org.nz/disagreein...
11 Tips for Talking for Someone You Disagree with (Psychology Today)
www.psychologytoday.com/us/bl...
8 Steps to Disagreeing Online Without Being Disagreeable
www.aota.org/Practice/Manage/...
About KQED
KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services, and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source, leader, and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration - exposing them to new people, places, and ideas.
Funding for KQED’s education services is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Koret Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the AT&T Foundation, the Crescent Porter Hale Foundation, the Silver Giving Foundation, Campaign 21 donors, and members of KQED.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:50 Why people behave badly online
2:24 What gets people to change their minds online?
5:46 How to respectfully disagree with someone
8:18 Final thoughts: meaningful conversations online
#onlinediscussion #arguingonline #Internet #Science #UncleOtis
Пікірлер: 56
Hey y'all - do you get heated in online discussions? What are some topics that you just can't let go when you see someone post something you feel passionate about? Curious to hear if you have had any luck changing someone's mind, and if so, how'd you do it?
How to not get into arguments: Don't download Twitter.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Sound advice!
I can’t say that this was a different format than your other videos necessarily but I enjoyed it a lot it seems more humorous more light more comical for a deep subject I really enjoyed it thank you sir
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for noticing! We’ve been working on our storytelling and comedic skills.
Here's my advice: When someone says something you don't appreciate online, you're going to feel something negative about it. You don't have to respond to it at all. Like he said, you could just block the person. However, if you simply must respond, don't respond out of that negativity. Instead, ask a question.
@kenster8270
2 жыл бұрын
Exactly. You could ask "What do you mean?", or you can simply scroll on by and go about your life. If a comment seems inappropriate/illegal, simply report it, and THEN scroll on by. 😇
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Great advice! Thank you!
In addition to the excellent advice you cover, there are a couple things I try to keep in mind for the online arguments - especially the rougher political ones: 1. Pace yourself. Finding sources, anticipating counterarguments, and making sure your points are clear & calm is _tiring_. Be ready to walk away for a bit between posts. If you know that there's an argument already in progress, don't start a second one. If you've got Facebook flame wars going, maybe wait till tomorrow to check them and respond. They calm down. You calm down, and you can make your statement more clearly. 2. I don't necessarily try to convince the person I'm talking to - especially if they've made it clear they're not going to be convinced by anything, under any circumstances. Instead, I focus on portraying myself as the calmer, more reasonable, better-read person in the argument. There is an _audience_ for many of these arguments, even a small one and even if some people aren't taking a stand. Make statements _they_ may find receptive. It also helps me shrug off pointed taunts and _ad_ _hominem_ attacks. I try to think "And that guy just demonstrated to the world why he shouldn't be trusted with these decisions." This also helps me respond to the actual arguments instead of responding to some strawman they didn't use.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Great insights! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your own advice with viewers!
@kylespevak6781
Жыл бұрын
I find myself having reasons and studies to support my arguments, but if the collective internet disagrees, they just get emotionally disrupted and spam insults which don't really effect someone who's not insecure. It becomes an awkward moment of watching someone get angry at you for not agreeing, then being as hateful as possible whilst calling you hateful
How to win online arguments? That's the neat part.. you don't
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
We arrive to that general conclusion at the end -- isn't all about connecting around our shared humanity (or just letting go...)?
Iceland is green and Greenland is ice
@EnigmaticLucas
2 жыл бұрын
That was originally deliberately misleading. Erik the Red, the first European to go to Greenland, lied about it being full of greenery to encourage other people to live there with him. It worked - Greenland today has a significant White minority and is a part of the Danish Realm, alongside Denmark proper and the Faroe Islands.
The moment someone advocates for "the big guy" is when I go OFF
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Yep, that is a trigger we can relate to.
A few years ago I adopted a policy of never making more than 2-3 responses in an online argument, even if that means letting the other party have the last word. In my experience people begin arguing in circles after that point and any 'audience' members you may be trying to convince lose interest.
I just wanted to say that I am super happy I found this channel. It does a great job of giving a pretty good, but brief understanding of different topics. Here's hoping that the algorithm gets more people discovering your channel! Edit: Also, btw love the beard rn
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Wow, thank you!
Good stuff that. I love conversations, online or off, that seriously explore issues, and follow your four rules. These days, if you’re on a platform with a bunch of endless arguments, there is a good chance you’re being played by a corporation to make money. We all are worth more than that. Treat other people, and yourself accordingly.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! And sharing that insight, too.
Even if no one involved in the arguement changes their mind, it can still be useful to other people who havent formed an opinion one way or the other. Many times I have come across arguements I was wholly unfamilair with, and by the time I finished reading, I felt more informed on the subject. Especially if you can look at it without attachment. But I guess it is only certain types of debates that offer that benefit, just name calling, and petty, rude, one-up-manship, doesn't give anyone anything.
when people feel attacked or you try to point out their mistakes they may feel attacked and that may make them defensive and less likely to change their mind, asking questions that make them reflect on their opinion or what you think is wrong with their argument (ex, if vaccines are bad then how are they good according to research and have positive effect?) makes it less likely for them to get defensive and more likely to change their mind. And come out as trying to share your opinion so they don’t feel like they’re being forced to accept and may reflect later on their opinion.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and sharing your take on this!
@kylespevak6781
Жыл бұрын
If Covid was so deadly, how come homeless thrived and now when nothing has changed, nobody gives a fuck about it? Weird
One thing that works is to not use swear words much
Your content is of great quality... you should try like putting your ads somewhere for more subs...
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Working on it!
"Here's what I think" "Well you're wrong because...." I hate these people
Frankly, I get scared to debate or even discuss. I don’t feel like a gifted orator skilled in dissecting bad arguments and fear I’ll make my views and myself look bad even if I’m right. Also, we’re all wrong about things. We have incomplete and/or misinterpreted data. We suffer from confirmation bias. We tie our views to our identity and dig our heels in the ground when challenged.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Great observations. You should check out our video about confirmation bias and "tribal" identity: kzread.info/dash/bejne/loKh2dinpLCsZaQ.html
This is why I’ve been focusing on the Socratic method for these hot button topics. And… while I may not change the interlocutors mind, I may change the mind of an observer, or I may even learn something.
@Mr.YasQueen
11 күн бұрын
I personally don't like the logic of "debating isn't to change the mind of the other person, it's for an observer" because you're sacrificing your mood, time of day, and possible mental health for a faceless stranger you might help change their mind. It makes more sense to put this effort in person where you can interact with people and they aren't just some username on the scree.
But why would I want to engage online with some random anonymous stranger or a Putin/Trump/QAnon trollbot? Waste of time and brain cells 🤷 Life is too short man.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
True. But what if it's Uncle Otis spreading missing information about the GOAT?
If you're looking at interactions online as "Arguments to Win" then you're practicing public discourse wrong.
How to win an argument online? Whatever you say, just follow it up with: "If you'll excuse me, I have a life to live." and then stop responding.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Lol. There is always that.
@madao7865
2 жыл бұрын
@@AboveTheNoise Oh you mean civilized arguments. My bad. Commented before watching the video. There, my stance is: if you're interested in their train of thought, learning it is a win for you. If they do the same, good on them. Otherwise, who cares?
When it's given as a present, it's not called cash, it's a universal gift certificate
Hot take: don't block and don't stop in an online argument because doing so is a form of admitting defeat. Second hot take: if you want to win, call the person on the phone IRL (yes, that sounds extreme but just a few years ago, it was not uncommon to look for someone's phone number in a paper-bound public database and call out of the blue... the Internet just simplified the lookup process). It will catch them off guard and actually give you an upper hand because the tone of voice (which is essential for a strong argument) will be added.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and share your perspective!
You would need to argue in a way that makes them think that you are on their side. So if you want to change a republican's mind you have to talk like a republican, and if you want to change a democrat's mind, you talk like a Democrat.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Good advice! Thanks for watching!
🧡🎃🧡
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Happy Halloween!
Myles about to get cancelled by the whole country of Iceland.
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
😬 But we LOVE Iceland. Bucket list for sure!
TRADE REQUEST FROM MARK ZUCKERBERG: *he receives:* your personal data *you recieve:* online arguments edit: no pancakes waffles are the supreme breakfast food
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
The margin for error on a waffle knocks it down in the rankings
Wtf is worldstaaaar?
So if people are using “we” and “us” pronouns they are less likely to change their minds. That made me wonder if people are also less likely to change their mind if they use “y’all” type pronouns for their opponent. Sort of like an “I’m right because I’m an us, and you’re wrong because you’re a them.”
@AboveTheNoise
2 жыл бұрын
Oh... interesting question! Now I'm curious too.