It seems like every day we see people arguing over something new. While there is nothing wrong with a little healthy debate, people have taken the art of argumentation to a whole new level. With the emergence of technology, arguments changed from personal, intimate conversations with limits, to distant, impersonal feuds that can take place over several mediums – like social media, rating platforms (like Yelp), and even video. They are all very popular. The abundance of distance between people arguing enables arguments to last longer. It can be said that we as a people do not know how to argue. Here are a few things to think about the next time you enter into an argument with someone:
What is your goal? It’s important to realize what your goals are before, and sometimes during, an argument. Is your goal to learn? To change someone’s mind? To just argue? With all of these goals, you need to realize and prepare for the fact that your goal(s) may or may not be met. If you want to learn, analyze how you debate. If your intentions are to learn, then watch your approach, tone of voice (word/emoji choice if it is not in person), and body language. If you seem aggressive, the conversation can go from a learning opportunity to a heated argument in .003 seconds. If your goal is to change someone’s mind then that can be very difficult to navigate. We have to realize that you can scream at someone until you are blue in the face, but if they don’t want to agree with you, or are not even convinced by your points, then there is no point. We need to accept that not everyone is going to agree with us and that is ok. If you are strong in your own morals, principles, and ideas, then that is enough. Your own perception is enough. You are enough. Convincing people to see things your way can be rewarding, but it isn’t your job to convince everyone to see things the way you do nor is it worth forfeiting your peace. If your goal is to just argue, then maybe some self-evaluation should occur because that is not the healthiest habit.
Who is your audience? Depending on who you are speaking with, an argument can either be worth it or futile. If you are trying to convince a die-hard 19-year {insert sports team} fan that the team you like is better, that might not go so well, especially if your goal is to change their mind. Some people are not going to be receptive to what you have to say. And that is a lesson that we all need to learn. No one is entitled to listen to you, agree with you, or even give you the chance to defend yourself. You should also consider age, race, background, and other characteristics that might influence why a person may think the way they do. These characteristics will influence how they feel.
So in conclusion, before you hop on Twitter and want to argue with a person over whether cerulean or chartreuse is the best color, think about those two things.
