This is almost like 110-115 years ago. It was remarked how Americans would get off work, go home and change out of their work clothes into a suit, and hit the pub to debate politics.

I don't think I act as contrarian with people with whom I agree.

I do if they misrepresent something on the other side.

That's about it.

It's common they do that though.

Straw-manning hurts all causes.

Can you always tell a straw-man from a different perspective?

lol..the numbers will get larger here as this moves forward

Unless you acknowledge your straw man and its purpose. That's a thing.

That's the goal, @osok !

That's usually called taking things to the extreme.

@Whithers yes, if it's your own position they are misrepresenting.

reason im here i like what your selling

In between black and white there are 10,000 shades of color, but they still fall to one side or the other.

Or if they are misrepresenting something that was agreed upon as someone else's position.

I like to understand the actual arguments of my opposition.

So I don't strawman them.

So I don't take their position for an extreme position.

I can sometimes point out their position can lead to extreme outcomes.

Straw man is a specific thing. It's not about your opinion of their opinion. It's deliberately misrepresenting what their opinion is so you can attack the misrepresentation.

Used to have a 1st Sgt that would say, clean is clean. If it isn't clean, it's dirty. Right is right, if it isn't right, it's wrong.

1st sgts love aphorisms. Brevity is the soul of wit.

What if their opinion isn't reality?

dont get caught up the whats being said to much...just be you and everthing works out

Aye.

The show today was somewhat contentious, as I think Rob took a more practical approach.

So both sides were a little upset.

that a good thing

Doesn't matter whether their opinion isn't reality. That's what you're arguing against.

@osok Yeah, I can't go with that. There are conditions which prevent "being you" from being a good thing.

or at least a tolerated one.

Lmao everyone got pissed.

Believe me, I know they did.

Better to notice a Straw man or play devils advocate then to accept ones argument as the complete truth with no substance to back it up.

and ...so what if they did...

Haha, Robert is lurking.

Some arguments can't be evaluated with quantifiable substance.

You can never Win an argument when someone knows they are wrong. Yet continues to argue.

Don't feel too bad about it Rob, it was a great show.

Thanks @Maw and thanks for all your help today. I'm still shocked at the numbers, wow.

Yeah, I was pretty stunned as it kept climbing by 1k.