Rules of Engagement
Ever gotten into an argument on the ‘Net?
Well, Charles Miller over at The Fishbowl has a rules just for you, er, us. I have to admit, Charles’ Rules of Argument, are not only very accurate, but things I learned the very, very hard way over the years. The first rule is the most important: “You will never change anyone’s mind on a matter of opinion.”
Oh, the agony I could have saved myself over the years if I’d only learned to apply that little mantra. It is so very true. Painfully true. Embarassingly true. I cannot think of a single instance in which I either changed my own mind during an argument or changed someone else’s. Frightening, isn’t it? Consider for a moment, how much of our communication on the Internet relates to argument. Or, at least, the attempt to change someone’s mind about something. Has it ever worked? The closest I’ve come is visiting the Libertarian Party‘s website, but I’d already been changing my mind by the time I went there, so it doesn’t really count. Heck, I can hardly change my wife’s mind and she’s on my side!
Anyway, I thought it was a usefull thing to reference. Enjoy it, or not, as you please.
