I have to disagree on the "male" thing because I have known women who are very much like this and I know many men who are not.
I would argue that is appears to be an "intellectual" thing to move beyond this. I can soooo feel Mangosteen's pain on this one. It's frustrating to have a conversation with someone who takes discussions as competitions where you try to wear down your opponent and the person is attempting to "win."
Am I debating with this person or are we discussing a topic?
The first one is annoying, the second one results in us learning.
As for my belief that being like Mangosteen, Curly_Chick, and myself is an intellectual thing, I'll explain. A long time ago, I used to be a bit like that, arguing and debating, trying to convince others of my views of the world. But at some point, as I learned more and more, I looked back at views I have previously held and realized that I had been wrong. Whenever I look back at times when I had been wrong, I want so badly to go track down those people and tell them I was wrong and apologize. It takes a certain amount of introspection to realize you were wrong and to be embarrassed by it.
Issues usually have more than 2 sides. Most are complicated. And with most issues and policies, there actually is no 100% right vs 100% wrong. Heck, some policies have both good and bad consequences.
I find it frustrating and a waist of my time to let myself get into a discussion that simply becomes an argument where nothing is learned.
By the way, since I started getting #$@% regularly, the Red Sox have made the playoffs every year. Clearly my policy of me getting plenty of &%#@ is working. Go Big Papi!!! ;-)
Some agreement, some disagreement
I would argue that is appears to be an "intellectual" thing to move beyond this. I can soooo feel Mangosteen's pain on this one. It's frustrating to have a conversation with someone who takes discussions as competitions where you try to wear down your opponent and the person is attempting to "win."
Am I debating with this person or are we discussing a topic?
The first one is annoying, the second one results in us learning.
As for my belief that being like Mangosteen, Curly_Chick, and myself is an intellectual thing, I'll explain. A long time ago, I used to be a bit like that, arguing and debating, trying to convince others of my views of the world. But at some point, as I learned more and more, I looked back at views I have previously held and realized that I had been wrong. Whenever I look back at times when I had been wrong, I want so badly to go track down those people and tell them I was wrong and apologize. It takes a certain amount of introspection to realize you were wrong and to be embarrassed by it.
Issues usually have more than 2 sides. Most are complicated. And with most issues and policies, there actually is no 100% right vs 100% wrong. Heck, some policies have both good and bad consequences.
I find it frustrating and a waist of my time to let myself get into a discussion that simply becomes an argument where nothing is learned.
By the way, since I started getting #$@% regularly, the Red Sox have made the playoffs every year. Clearly my policy of me getting plenty of &%#@ is working. Go Big Papi!!!
;-)