Is it intelligent to insult someone who doesn't share your political ideology?

Question

I see it from all sides, it would seem more intelligent to talk "up" to someone not "down" to someone, trying to find shared values and common ground, and share facts and reasons for wanting to change someones mind.

No one is going to change their mind if they just get insulted all the time.

What are your thoughts? Do you just troll to be a troll, or do you view the internet as an opportunity to share some information and learn a few new things from time to time?

Answer 1

It gets to a point where it becomes obvious that you will not change someones mind through intelligent discourse. Instead they consider such discourse a sign of weakness. They will try to intimidate and demean you for your beliefs to get an advantage over you. At that point I start being a "troll" towards them. The only thing some people understand is aggression. And sometimes that's the only way to hold your ground.

Answer 2

I'll pick what's behind door #2 - "view the internet as an opportunity to share some information and learn a few new things from time to time".

I get insulted on here all the time . Every question . No big deal though . They're just showing that they can't debate logically .

Answer 3

Insults are often breed from ignorance, in ability to understand the format of a debate and indeed the evidence of a closed mind. In some you must consider the source. In here hard to tell.

You know the visible trolls. Thoughts and questions always with SEX connotations... The radical from one side to another. It's a
format for exchange of ideas. Lost long ago as many re tread their suspensions into new mantles to wage war behind.

In my opinion, your questions, and sentiments are thought provoking and well researched. Your intent genuine. Each day I hope to learn here. It helps pass my boring days away from home. Keeps me alert and sharp on current events*. But some have gotten personal? I just got blocked by my best source? I want information not your man... or any other I have my own to deal with !! I troll for clues not Match.com off here. The avitar's really T me off. Violations from those who are the worst offenders of breaking guidelines! You are sensitive. Don't sweat it. Keep up the good research. To me you are a valuable link here.

My thoughts, thanks for asking. Hang tough. You got lampooned this past weekend. Wait until they read the
US news when it comes out... and they heard it from you first?
Just may happen some days. :) Kim

edit: this one's on me...take a star and share the 10 above !

Answer 4

N O, it is not very intelligent to insult someone because of their political discourse, but some people needs insults thrown at them, especially when they lie and you know that they are flat out lying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I view the Internet as an opportunity to see what other people are thinking and learn a few things while researching lots of items on here.

Answer 5

I agree with you completely. I have said it many times here on YA that the answers given are sorta at the level of the questions asked.

Have you ever heard an instructor say that there is no such thing as a stupid question? Well, he was WRONG! There are obviously some very stupid questions.

I'm afraid that there have been times where my answers have been insulting. I hope it is ONLY when the question is obviously stupid or so slanderous that I must "talk at the same level" as the asker.

Your question shows compassion and concern and you're making me feel bad for some of my answers in the past.

Answer 6

As in actual campaigns, it is not intelligent to insult others but it can be very effective.

One propaganda technique is to repeat a damaging lie about one's opponent enough times so that some people believe it.

Unfortunately, there are a few propagandists on Yahoo Answers. When I get upset enough I answer them back on their own terms. It doesn't help in progressing the political discourse but it makes me feel better.

Answer 7

No, that's stupid. Insulting someone during a debate is the same as resorting to violence. It immediately stops any progressive discussion and devolves into who can whip out the best one-liner. The person who wins doesn't have to be right, they just have to appear stronger or some crap.

The solution to this is one that is being used at MIT's Energy Initiative. If someone wants to confuse an issue by calling people names and belittling people, they immediately stop talking to them. Actually, they kick that person out but, same principle.

Answer 8

An ideology is, by definition, self-contained and unalterable by reasoned argument. Hence, insults are the only currency of converse between two opposed ideologies.
But I agree that Reps and Dems have more in common than they will admit.
I have learnt a lot here and hope that I return the kindness of strangers.

Answer 9

The first one to use ad hominem attacks generally loses the debate, at least that's how I remember it from high school law class.

Insulting an opponent's character instead of refuting his argument is a sign that one has no intelligent argument of his own to offer.

I also try to remember that the person with whom I'm in debate might very well live across the street from me, and I try to keep the tone of the discussion in line with that possibility.

Answer 10

the two problems with trying to avoid insulting those on the "other" side of the political aisle are that (a) they very often take ANYthing you say as an insult, and (b) very often, we think very little of them, since our own political ideology is so right to us, and it's unthinkable that any rational human could disagree.

if you're just talking about ad hominem attacks, like "Mike Moore's fat," or "Limbaugh's a druggie," then of course it's stupid and makes clear the level of discourse.

but what if i say that i believe that anyone who supports George Bush today is either ignorant or mean... and i don't mean it as an insult, but as a statement of fact.

the line is thin, and few can keep to one side.