If I can offer a bit of a different take, especially about the part that I bolded.Some Schmo wrote: ↑Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:37 pmI've gotten to the point where I just don't believe people really care about whatever they are criticizing if they aren't moved by facts. In fact, I find it hard to believe the most rabid right-wing extremists are concerned about anything because they never back up their assertions, and will continue making them even after they've been debunked. I think they just like to argue because.. I don't know... they're assholes? Or maybe it's just a warped agenda. Who knows?
We have countless examples of GOP leaders doing things the right has enjoyed whining about for years, but they don't care. It's only a concern to them if it's a Democrat, and even then, I don't think they're concerned. They will whine about it because they know people who argue in good faith might think it's a concern.
A person with a legitimate concern about something will educate themselves on that thing, and apply that concern in all cases, no matter who or what. They won't wail and moan about it interminably in the face of facts that show their concern to be unfounded. They don't argue in bad faith. They don't keep making the same bad arguments over and over.
Unless, ya know, they're brain damaged in some fundamental way and can't help their inferior thought processes.
Why should we listen to and take seriously any concern from someone like this?
tl;dr: If you aren't moved by facts, I'm going to assume you don't have any to offer.
I think you may be vastly underestimating how heavily the deck is stacked against swapping one's political views (or any deeply held belief for that matter).
A pretty terrible public education system that offers little to no instruction on critical thibking, decades of attacks against the educated/experts/scientist from pundits and politicians, the memeification of political points and the ability to insulate within a particular bubble on the internet are all working against individual change. When you pair this with upbringing, familial and geographical pressures and any other of a thousand contextual issues it is no wonder humans have a hard time shifting their view points.
That said, I believe people can learn to rewire their brains a bit. Expand their horizons and break out of these molds. They will need help though and a friend who actually listens and engages with them will likely go further than any other avenue.
Whenever these conversations pop up I always think of Daryl Davis. I know he has been discussed a lot here but for anyone unaware. Davis is a black man that is quite famous for befriending KKK members and converting them out of it. If you haven't read up on him, do. He is an incredible example of breaking down barriers by opening up communication.
It is also worth pointing out that this isn't just true of the right. For the longest time the anti-Vax war was waged almost exclusively by the far left. Misinformation, entrenched views and outrage porn aren't monopolized by only one party. Every single one of us has fallen prey to it before.
I recognize you're most likely just referring to posters on the board and it is obviously your choice to engage or not but I thought it was worth expanding your point a bit broader. All I see in the above is dehumanizing individuals because they haven't been swayed yet and I just don't agree with it, nor do I think it productive.