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Notes -
So I was talking with a leftist friend recently about race-swapping in movies, as well as the general topic of racism, and we clashed on a bunch of things. I'm not sure how well I did, and I'm worried I capitulated too much - I usually take more moderate stances when speaking with leftists IRL than I do online, since I'm usually trying to persuade and shift them towards a point of view which is more critical to wokeness and the usual mainstream narrative.
If you go "Your entire worldview and perception is wrong, here's the evidence" from the outset all you're going to have is an opponent that won't listen to you. It's a fine line you have to tread and I'm still finding my feet as to how to navigate real-time debate. He did capitulate to quite a good portion of my points too (or at least seemed to, from my perspective), but again it's hard to know how hard to push your ideas. There's also the fact that they've got a lot of "common wisdom" on their side which is a big boon in conversations because they can simply make statements and disproving big claims in real-time communication can't be effectively done, as opposed to online where you can take the time to organise things and fully make your case against certain common preconceptions.
What are your methods of debating with people in the real world, and how do you know how hard to press your point?
I am much more harsh in real life, precisely because most people are less willing to start conflict in real life.
I will openly mock anyone asking me my pronouns by choosing something ridiculous. I say all the words you can't say on twitter. This is because I am more free to say what I want in real life than online nowadays. There is more value to me personally in openly slaughtering sacred leftist cows for catharsis and daring them to challenge me than the miniscule chance that I might change someone's mind in a debate. If someone wants to discuss something with me earnestly, then fine, but I won't pretend they have any valid points. There will be no charity. That should only exist here.
So my method of debating people is that I largely don't, and how hard I press my point is "to the hilt, and then twist some".
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