Are you willing to change your mind ...

[Sue U]

about anything? Anything at all?

Many of us have been posting together for well over a decade, close to two; we all have a pretty good idea of where we each stand on any particular issue. But is there any subject on which any dialogue here has -- or even could -- change your mind? Or do we just spend all our time trying to push each other's buttons to get a rise? Or is there some other reason you keep doing this?

I'm serious.

[TPFKA@W]

Oh I think my political POV has slid "dangerously" to the left because of my associations here. I no longer support the death penalty. I believe what I have read here changed that.
I went from practicing Christian to agnostic during the journey. Most of that is because of personal circumstances but still...
I learned to think more critically from associating with people who are clearly smarter, better read and more broadly educated than I am.
Some things won't change no matter what. I will die a 2nd amendment supporter.

I may not agree with you, I may think you POV is outlandish and just wrong, but at the days end I respect the vast majority of you you and appreciate having come to know you, even if only in this manner.

[Crackpot]

There's a fine line between changing your mind and being indecisive or even just being so uninformed to have an actual "opinion"

[oldr_n_wsr]

I changed my position on gay marriage mostly because of points scooter made.
I think there was some other topic I changed my mine on but I can't remember.

[BoSoxGal]

I'm pretty stuck in the mud when it comes to religion, climate science and civil rights.

I try to be open-minded about most other things in life.

[Gob]

I've moved to the right after associating with so many Americans for some time....

Even your raving lefties are to the right!

[Gob]

Oh, and another thing I majorly changed my mind about ...Americans...

I've grown to love and admire (some of) you.

Sad as hell when I heard good people like Miles or R.Brown had passed away.

Have been knocked out of my socks by the amazing gifts and other contributions given to Hatch, me, and Hen, superbly generous people, (some of you.)

[Guinevere]

I've learned Welsh. Doesn't that require a complete mind change (or a lobotomy?)

I've also changed my mind on drug legalization, based mostly on the discussions here. But I will always been an outspoken liberal feminist lawyer and I'm quite happy with who I am so I don't see my POV changing a great deal. What I really appreciate about the place is the ability to discuss (mostly civilly) and learn about various viewpoints. Even if I don't change my mind, I become better informed on the subject and that's important.

may not agree with you, I may think you POV is outlandish and just wrong, but at the days end I respect the vast majority of you you and appreciate having come to know you, even if only in this manner.

What she said (except there is nothing dangerous about any slide to the left)!

[Joe Guy]

I like to hear and read other people's perspective on issues that are in the news. Sometimes my opinion is influenced by people here. In the end I always know that I am right.

Especially if Lord Jim agrees with me.....

[Econoline]

I've changed my mind on gun rights and the Second Amendment (though I still believe that those pesky words "well regulated" are in there for a reason) after reading many thoughtful and intelligent comments from those here (and at our previous hangouts). I am now way to the right of many of my lefty friends and acquaintances on this issue.

[MajGenl.Meade]

I was starting to agree with some of yes.

But I changed my mind

[Lord Jim]

In the end I always know that I am right.

Especially if Lord Jim agrees with me.....

An excellent metric to use...

[rubato]

about anything? Anything at all?

Many of us have been posting together for well over a decade, close to two; we all have a pretty good idea of where we each stand on any particular issue. But is there any subject on which any dialogue here has -- or even could -- change your mind? Or do we just spend all our time trying to push each other's buttons to get a rise? Or is there some other reason you keep doing this?

I'm serious.

I change opinions when our knowledge of the facts changes. What I won't change is the method of testing beliefs against the data. If it is possible to frame an opinion in terms of an empirical statement then all that matters is what the facts are. If we have tested an economic theory like cutting taxes to see if revenue goes up by an amount greater than the tax cut, then all that matters is whether revenue does in fact go up by an amount greater than the tax cut (it has never done so and even Greg Mankiw and Glen Hubbard say it won't) in the end we must admit what the outcome is.


My underlying sense of morality and the political and social values which flow from it would be more difficult to change. I believe morality is based on our obligations to others and that practical public policy questions are settled by determining whether a policy creates more suffering or less suffering. More people dying or being disabled because of a lack of access to resources which are available is a bad thing and policies which have that outcome are bad.


I believe you can in principle measure the morality of a person, a community or a country by determining the degree to which individuals willingly sacrifice today as individuals on behalf of others in the future. We are properly measured by what we will give up, by what limits we will bind ourselves to.


yrs,
rubato