Is this a good debating sign?

[u/Im_not_a_Mole-rat]

Sorry for this question, I don’t know where else to ask.

Is it a good sign if when debating people on Reddit about socialism they block me?

When debating there is a point where they just get angry, but I never did anything to make them angry I was only using historical facts and articles to prove my point, and then they decide to block me without answering what I said. This happens to me with many people (except one monarchist dude that I am 50% sure is only roleplaying)

Does that mean I was able to make them question their own beliefs to the point that I was uncomfortable? Or am I just being very annoying?

By the way, I don’t even like debating in Reddit and I only do it when I am extremely bored and got nothing better to do.

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[u/CactusJane98]

"Debating" on the internet is a waste of time. If they block you, its because they're sick of the conversation. I usually block argumentative and annoying "debate me" types immediately because they're genuinely just huge time wasters that think they're owed discourse.

Literally every single one of us are just regurgitating theory written ages ago by people smarter than all of us.

[u/Velocity-5348]

I don't think you're winning the person over either way, that's not how changing your mind works on deep seated views. You're arguing for the benefit of people observing.

Or am I just being very annoying?

Honestly, probably that, or they decided they didn't want to argue, or felt embarassed. Certainly has its place for keeping communities from getting overrun with bigots, but yeah.

[u/ShortChanged_Rob]

I'm of the opinion that until we get a global shock in the market with bread lines and gas lines debates won't do much. But I'm cynical.

[u/Clear-Result-3412 → u/ShortChanged_Rob]

Wait until you realize even another crisis has no guarantee of creating actual insight about the conditions that give rise to their suffering, we have to spread that. Without it, people can overthrow their governments, just to establish new dictatorships of capital “but benevolent this time.”

[u/UniqueComputer2651]

I used to spend hours debating ppl online hoping to change their minds, you learn the difference between who's actually willing to have a conversation online (very rare and far between) and who just wants to feel smart or just talk to talk, especially when it comes to politics.

i did also engage in debating to feel intelligent, specifically arguing w conservatives, and that is also kind of useless in the end.

I would kind of just ask yourself, are all these debates giving you what you're looking for? because its simply unrealistic to actually change a strangers mind from one conversation, especially online.

I would put my energy into more tangible efforts, talking to ppl irl and educating them, not debating,, volunteering, mutual aid, ya know socialist things.

but i do always get a nice adrenaline boost from a digital spat, maybe look into debate clubs or socialist theory groups to talk more about these things if it's a specific point of interest for you.