this post was submitted on 31 May 2025
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[–] AbnormalHumanBeing@lemmy.abnormalbeings.space 87 points 2 months ago (11 children)

I don't know about the "no real life effects". As a teenager, I was dangerously close to falling down a conspiracy theorist rabbit hole, back then with 9/11-"truthers". It was online arguments I witnessed, where their arguments got dismantled by people knowing what they are talking about, that got me out of there before I got in too deep.

Similarily, loneliness once got me adjacent to the proto-"manosphere" before it was a thing as it is today. But arguing with them about how they are wrong about womens' roles historically, claiming they were "privileged" in ways they objectively weren't turned me off of their bullshit really quickly.

I know arguing online has become more exhausting ever since, but I think there might be a bit of an overly dismissive reaction present with a lot of people on the internet. Developing your own ideas against opposition is still something worthwhile in many cases. And online, there's usually at least some kind of audience, that gets influenced by discussions - for better or worse.

That being said, I may be overthinking things. Because any discussion, where your goal is "totally destroying the opponent" is usually in the category of least worthwhile discussions to have.

[–] Donkter@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago (2 children)

This is how I think of it. I'm not arguing on the Internet to change the person's mind. I'm arguing to make sure anyone reading the thread in the future doesn't come away with the impression that the other person's argument is flawless.

I'm happy to end an argument by just repeating the facts that the other person is getting wrong. I know their mind isn't getting changed but I hope that anyone that comes along later will be able to read the thread and clearly understand the logical disconnect the other person's argument has.

Especially arguing against someone in certain subcultures like the manosphere, yeesh. Their arguments are so subjective and centered around feelings that often all you can do is point that out and hope someone who comes along later sees that their arguments really make no sense.

[–] 3dmvr@lemm.ee 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yep, big problem on the internet is the influx of children posting/commenting everywhere since everyone has devices and internet access while kids third places online no longer exist. Like club penguin. Instead they share the same social media we do which is wild, but now 1000s of kids that stay online all say will have their objectively wrong opinions overwhelm anyone with sense.

[–] 3dmvr@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

I was a kid with the internet, but there was internet etiquette, rules everywhere, like I genuinely was able to avoid spoilers everywhere. Social media was kind of a thing but not used the way it is now, ppl actually shared their raw thoughts for better or worse lol. If you didn't know what you were talking about youd get shit on by ppl with sources, now you get a ton of ppl just like you who dont know what they're talking about agreeing and validating you

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