Concede a Point (Part II Act I Scene I)

[North Defese]

I felt like doing this again. As before: one of the biggest obstacles to dialogue the internet has brought us is turning everything into a black/white issue. We often surround ourselves with people with similar interests and beliefs, while shutting out dissenting voices. Many NSG'ers refuse to admit any faults for "z" ideology or belief, while never admitting any benefits or positive aspects to " n" belief or ideology.

In the spirit of a civil discourse, playing the devils advocate on every issue, and finding constant agreement (or circlejerking) boring and unproductive, I challenge NSG'ers in wading knee-deep into the gray area of reality. (Wear golashes!) Take your political, philosophical, religious, or whatever a strong belief structure is in your life, and find the polar opposite and find things about it you can emulate or find agreeable.

For example, if you're a communist you could say you find the industriousness of capitalist systems are noteworthy and have done a good job in keeping the western worlds living standards reasonably high. On the flipside, if you're an ardent capitalist you could agree that the communist desire for equality for all mankind is commendable. Conservatives could remark on how liberals are noble in their goal to bring equality to all, and liberals could remark that conservatives beliefs in personal responsibility is admirable.

This is all in the spirit of dialogue and reasonable discussion; hostile sarcasm ("Communism only works in the wet dreams of Lenin") will result in severe beatings.

The first time this happened:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=240158&hilit

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

I think that if you really can rationalize that abortion is murder, which I can't because that's dumb, I can see where blowing up an abortion clinic could be a net positive from a utilitarian standpoint, which you shouldn't do because that's wrong.

[MERIZoC]

Pffft. That's easy. Anarcho-primitivism would result in drops in areas we now consider "quality of lifestyle".

[North Defese]

I think that if you really can rationalize that abortion is murder, which I can't because that's dumb, I can see where blowing up an abortion clinic could be a net positive from a utilitarian standpoint, which you shouldn't do because that's wrong.

Well that's a bit on the extreme side but okay it's a start.

[Kavadevo]

I can respect how the Tea Party actually went out and tried to change their government, instead of sitting at their computer and bitching about how the two party system is unfair.

[Benuty]

I can respect how the hack Richard Dawkins is somewhat good at his job.

[Camicon]

Religious people tend to be very stalwart in their support of each other. Atheists should learn from that.

[Ashmoria]

I think that if you really can rationalize that abortion is murder, which I can't because that's dumb, I can see where blowing up an abortion clinic could be a net positive from a utilitarian standpoint, which you shouldn't do because that's wrong.

*shudder* its a point I understand but don't concede.

I will concede that abortion is yucky.

[Ashmoria]

I can respect how the Tea Party actually went out and tried to change their government, instead of sitting at their computer and bitching about how the two party system is unfair.

oh for sure. I will concede that they had good reason to be angry.

[New Aerios]

I'll concede that there will come a time when capitalism will be rendered obsolete, and the economic systems I despise today may be the sensible options.

Given that that time is when we reach post-scarcity, it's quite a while off.

[The Re-Frisivisiaing]

I can respect how the Tea Party actually went out and tried to change their government, instead of sitting at their computer and bitching about how the two party system is unfair.

oh for sure. I will concede that they had good reason to be angry.

A black man in the Oval Office is pretty infuriating.

[Ratateague]

I can understand the desire to own a firearm, and the threat of using them may be warranted in certain situations, given that they aren't the end-all-be-all solution for self-defence and conflict resolution.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

There have been several instances in which the fact that a civilian was carrying a concealed weapon meant that lives were saved.

[North Defese]

I myself have to admit that I admire the pride nationalists can feel in their country, even if I feel it's misplaced in many instances. It can nevertheless push people to help make things better, in the better of its outcomes.

[Other Thafoo]

"Libertarianism" has more syllables than "Nordic Model."

[Alcase]

I will concede that Israel does have religious ties to the Palestinian region.

However, so do a whole lot of other religions.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Sorry but there's no rationale behind homophobia, xenophobia, transphobia, abortion is murder and racism. I can't see any positives in those nor do I respect posters who hold such views. There's no common ground to be found.

[Shilya]

Sorry but there's no rationale behind homophobia, xenophobia, transphobia, abortion is murder and racism. I can't see any positives in those nor do I respect posters who hold such views. There's no common ground to be found.

Homophobia: People following their religion, maybe? Their god told them to fill the earth. Generally speaking, homosexuals aren't participating.
Xenophobia: People wanting to be left the hell alone. I don't want strangers in my living room. By extension, not in my country. Not too hard to follow the train of thought.
Transphobia: Again religion. God made you in a specific way, so you should stay that way.
Abortion is murder: Well, how about abortion an hour before birth?
Racism: People being confused by this whole "science" thing? Nah, I got nothing.

Isn't it nice how those aren't my positions? Yet, I can still logically understand them, without sharing them?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Sorry but there's no rationale behind homophobia, xenophobia, transphobia, abortion is murder and racism. I can't see any positives in those nor do I respect posters who hold such views. There's no common ground to be found.

Homophobia: People following their religion, maybe? Their god told them to fill the earth. Generally speaking, homosexuals aren't participating.
Xenophobia: People wanting to be left the hell alone. I don't want strangers in my living room. By extension, not in my country. Not too hard to follow the train of thought.
Transphobia: Again religion. God made you in a specific way, so you should stay that way.
Abortion is murder: Well, how about abortion an hour before birth?
Racism: People being confused by this whole "science" thing? Nah, I got nothing.

Isn't it nice how those aren't my positions? Yet, I can still logically understand them, without sharing them?

There's nothing logical about this. If you think there is, you're part of the problem.

[Benuty]

Homophobia: People following their religion, maybe? Their god told them to fill the earth. Generally speaking, homosexuals aren't participating.
Xenophobia: People wanting to be left the hell alone. I don't want strangers in my living room. By extension, not in my country. Not too hard to follow the train of thought.
Transphobia: Again religion. God made you in a specific way, so you should stay that way.
Abortion is murder: Well, how about abortion an hour before birth?
Racism: People being confused by this whole "science" thing? Nah, I got nothing.

Isn't it nice how those aren't my positions? Yet, I can still logically understand them, without sharing them?

There's nothing logical about this. If you think there is, you're part of the problem.

Nice...the Pass-Agg is dripping in this post .

It is however logical to see why they believe their position is logical even if it is false.

[United Marxist Nations]

Fascists have a fashion sense that we just can't beat with our olive-drab.

[Shilya]

Homophobia: People following their religion, maybe? Their god told them to fill the earth. Generally speaking, homosexuals aren't participating.
Xenophobia: People wanting to be left the hell alone. I don't want strangers in my living room. By extension, not in my country. Not too hard to follow the train of thought.
Transphobia: Again religion. God made you in a specific way, so you should stay that way.
Abortion is murder: Well, how about abortion an hour before birth?
Racism: People being confused by this whole "science" thing? Nah, I got nothing.

Isn't it nice how those aren't my positions? Yet, I can still logically understand them, without sharing them?

There's nothing logical about this. If you think there is, you're part of the problem.

Hey, here's an idea. Maybe those people that you dehumanize as "the problem" look at people like you, think "what a crazy <insert expletive of choice>", and that in turn reinforces their position?

Maybe the real problem is you, the extremist? Ever considered it?

Maybe that was actually the point of the thread and you're in the process of ruining it?

---

So here's another one for the christians, the "turn the other cheek" part is a lot better than what we're usually doing, try to keep that up.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

There's nothing logical about this. If you think there is, you're part of the problem.

Nice...the Pass-Agg is dripping in this post .

It is however logical to see why they believe their position is logical even if it is false.

Sure. On both counts, Benu.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

There's nothing logical about this. If you think there is, you're part of the problem.

Hey, here's an idea. Maybe those people that you dehumanize as "the problem" look at people like you, think "what a crazy <insert expletive of choice>", and that in turn reinforces their position?

Maybe the real problem is you, the extremist? Ever considered it?

Maybe that was actually the point of the thread and you're in the process of ruining it?

---

So here's another one for the christians, the "turn the other cheek" part is a lot better than what we're usually doing, try to keep that up.

How cute. False, but cute.

[United Marxist Nations]

I guess the opposite of my views would be the opposite of dialectical materialism. What is the opposite of dialectical materialism? Maybe the reason of the French liberals of the Revolutionary period?