It's not about changing minds, it's about being right. 😎

Good thing that argument fizzled out in a chase for internet points and nothing was taken out on the streets.

On the other hand, there are times when I have written paragraphs of well sourced text on my phone, and just before pressing "Post" I realize that I don't care about it.

I generally never enter an online debate with the intention of convincing the other person of my point of view. I enter a debate to provide a (hopefully) strong counter argument for the benefit of the lurkers reading.

As an example, I am extremely unlikely to convince a tankie that the USSR's authoritarianism is a bad thing, but my arguments may help a less politically savy reader not become duped by a tankie's propaganda, and that's worthwhile to try for.

Sometimes it's about clarifying your own thoughts.

Those arguments are for the onlookers.

I've deleted more than I've posted here.

*recieves hundreds of downclicks for my long ass rant*

FUCK ALL YALL I'M RIIIIIIIGH

I do it to explore and solidify my own thoughts and beliefs. Otherwise they kind of just float around half-formed and

On the other hand, one thing an internet argument (or other forms of public debate) can do is change the audience's minds, or bring them to your cause if they're uncommitted. Lenin became the effective Russian head of state in part by being good at debates.

If one views them as discussions instead of arguments, they tend to turn out better.

This is exactly what I do. I’m pretty much the unpopular opinion in most threads, but the point is to offer a nuanced take. Only, the problem is- nuance is frowned upon a lot nowadays.

According to this it's more about being homogenous and tuned into the platform hive-mind.

Only if both sides do it.

I just post it. Yeah I'll be wrong sometimes and I edit my posts a lot, but the Fediverse needs to get those metrics up this quarter.

I'm fine getting downvoted to hell, but when they start deleting my posts I just block the community. The master's tools can't dismantle the master's house.

Same. And well said.

I never posted it, I just backed out of the comment editor