Has reading a post ever facilitated a change of mind surrounding something of significance?

Cin · 11-07-2011, 12:31 PM

I have been reading and posting on different forums for years. There is never a shortage of individuals willing to explain their opinion or position on most any given topic. Lots of people are quite adamant and very passionate about their point of view. And many posters are quite articulate, well informed and rather convincing. So I’m just wondering if anyone has every changed their mind because of something they read on a forum. Has some well articulated argument ever convinced you that you should re-evaluate a previously firmly held belief? I’m not suggesting we are wasting our breath either way. It’s great to share ideas with like-minded people. It’s also interesting to see opposing viewpoints and have the ins and outs of these positions explained thoroughly. My question is simply has anyone ever actually been moved to change their mind about a heartfelt issue, not something rather insignificant like whether peeps are better micro waved or just like that out of the box, but something important to them, a central belief of some kind, because of a post or even several posts they read articulating an opposing point of view?

1QuirkyKiwi · 11-07-2011, 12:44 PM

Yes, in a personal situation where the poster was going through something similar and talked about their feelings, hopes, fears and the choices they were making to sort the situaion out.

It allowed me to take a step back and reflect on my own feelings, which helped me to see things more clearly.

I'm open to new perspectives from people, as they may have more experience in a particular situation that may benefit me in some way.

Dominique · 11-07-2011, 12:59 PM

Oh heck yeah. For years, this is what keeps me coming to these forums. I prefer discourse to like minded thinking. I'll read, and re-read and think about what I read. I may do a little research to satisfy my curiosity. Many times I have changed my postion on a subject because of the suggestive
writing of a very talented poster. Only for another, just as passionate person to come along and cause me to lean towards the edge of my box. Before I know it, I'm looking for more information to support that subject matter. Many times, I go back and forth. (censorship thread is a very good example) that topic went all over the planet, and so did my brain. People brought perspectives to the computer screen, that I never thought of, until brought to the forefront. Then I sure did think about it. I don't think a perspective was missed.

So to answer your question. Yes, absolutely. I can't imagine a world where we all think the same.

Daywalker · 11-07-2011, 01:07 PM

Absolutely.

If I were to compare my mind stretch from 8 year ago to now,
it would show a significant amount of growth due
to these Forums and our community.

You know when you wake up and yer body gets a hella
good stretch in and it feels hella good?

Yep, same kinda thing happens when
I get to stretch mah mind.

nowandthen · 11-07-2011, 01:22 PM

I have had my views expanded by reading others points, it either has moved me a bit from mine veiw,made me go read more about others veiws, and articulate my points better, not for agreement but for difference.

Martina · 11-07-2011, 01:22 PM

Dylan really made me think about trans issues in ways that i had not. i do not think i would get his seal of approval, but i have changed.

Cin · 11-07-2011, 02:15 PM

I was writing a post this morning in the lesbian butches thread and it got me thinking about how much I’ve changed. This thread was a direct result of that realization. I got to thinking about all the people whose posts on this forum and the other who have been a part of my progression. People I don’t know and people who don’t know me and have no idea the effect their words have had in my life. I can site specific threads on .com that contributed to my changing certain ways I view things.

It’s not that I read one post and then I completely change my outlook about something. It’s more that while reading the words of others there are seeds planted, ideas that germinate and as a direct result of these experiences I slowly change and grow.

I have another question. Is there a particular style of presentation that works best for you? Is there a style that just turns you off and no matter what the person says you won’t hear them?

aishah · 02-02-2013, 04:00 PM

yes, it has for me (here and elsewhere). there are a lot of things in my life i'm not interested in changing my mind on, or that are so rooted in personal experience that i probably will not change (although i can't say never), but there are also a lot of things that i've learned from reading other posters here and elsewhere that have made me look at things from different perspectives and reconsider strong (even rigidly held) beliefs. for me, forums (especially when there is serious discussion) can be a way of working out what i think about something in my own mind, through typing it in a post, or working through my point of view and understanding an issue from different points of view, which sometimes leads to significant changes in how i look at things. for me at least, personal experience is more important than opinion or statistics or whatever when it comes to those discussions, usually, and i value what people share of their personal experiences here. there are lots of other great things about message boards, but that is what i love about discussing difficult topics here.

Tuff Stuff · 08-17-2015, 08:54 PM

The web,social media has open up so many doors in terms of learning.I'm the first to admit that i can be pretty stubborn in my ways and thinking.I do have a very open mind,nothing can shock me,i've seen and heard it all...so I believe.But every once and awhile I will get my mind totally crammed with new information from some one in person or online that I just have to sit back and really absorb those new ideas on how they see and understand the world...and it really makes so much more sense than my way.

So yes,I can also shut-up and be a student.

11-07-2011, 12:31 PM	#1
Cin Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Truly Madly Deeply Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: In My Head Posts: 2,805 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,326 Thanked 10,618 Times in 2,489 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Has reading a post ever facilitated a change of mind surrounding something of significance? I have been reading and posting on different forums for years. There is never a shortage of individuals willing to explain their opinion or position on most any given topic. Lots of people are quite adamant and very passionate about their point of view. And many posters are quite articulate, well informed and rather convincing. So I’m just wondering if anyone has every changed their mind because of something they read on a forum. Has some well articulated argument ever convinced you that you should re-evaluate a previously firmly held belief? I’m not suggesting we are wasting our breath either way. It’s great to share ideas with like-minded people. It’s also interesting to see opposing viewpoints and have the ins and outs of these positions explained thoroughly. My question is simply has anyone ever actually been moved to change their mind about a heartfelt issue, not something rather insignificant like whether peeps are better micro waved or just like that out of the box, but something important to them, a central belief of some kind, because of a post or even several posts they read articulating an opposing point of view? __________________ The reason facts don’t change most people’s opinions is because most people don’t use facts to form their opinions. They use their opinions to form their “facts.” Neil Strauss

11-07-2011, 12:44 PM	#2
1QuirkyKiwi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: BBW. Unique femininity that does not encompass the western paradigm. Preferred Pronoun?: Anything Respectful! Relationship Status: Single, Happy, not Desparate or Looking, but Open to Possibilities... Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Europe and Aotearoa on a 5:2 ratio. Posts: 2,308 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,003 Thanked 6,035 Times in 1,617 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Yes, in a personal situation where the poster was going through something similar and talked about their feelings, hopes, fears and the choices they were making to sort the situaion out. It allowed me to take a step back and reflect on my own feelings, which helped me to see things more clearly. I'm open to new perspectives from people, as they may have more experience in a particular situation that may benefit me in some way. __________________ What will make the difference to me is your strength of character and what's in your heart...

11-07-2011, 01:07 PM	#4
Daywalker Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Hippy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: * Posts: 3,750 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,499 Thanked 11,917 Times in 2,700 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Ever Grateful... Absolutely. If I were to compare my mind stretch from 8 year ago to now, it would show a significant amount of growth due to these Forums and our community. You know when you wake up and yer body gets a hella good stretch in and it feels hella good? Yep, same kinda thing happens when I get to stretch mah mind. __________________ www.SirDaywalker.com Last edited by Daywalker; 11-07-2011 at 01:30 PM.

11-07-2011, 01:22 PM	#5
nowandthen Member How Do You Identify?: Queer Butch Preferred Pronoun?: S/he Relationship Status: In a realationship with my PhD. Dissertation work for the next 3 years Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Coast Posts: 508 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 400 Thanked 948 Times in 325 Posts Rep Power: 6580598	Sorta I have had my views expanded by reading others points, it either has moved me a bit from mine veiw,made me go read more about others veiws, and articulate my points better, not for agreement but for difference. __________________ "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you." "Does it hurt" asked the Rabbit, "Sometimes", said the Skin Horse, for he was always honest. " It's a Kind of testing, The kind of testing that spiritual warriors need in order to awaken their Heart" PC

11-07-2011, 01:22 PM	#6
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,366 Times in 4,171 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Dylan really made me think about trans issues in ways that i had not. i do not think i would get his seal of approval, but i have changed. __________________ "No matter how cynical I get, I just can't keep up" - Lily Tomlin

11-07-2011, 12:59 PM	#3
Dominique Member How Do You Identify?: Female/Lesbian/half the athlete I used to be Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Dates Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So proud to be a Pittsburgher Posts: 1,484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,645 Thanked 3,735 Times in 1,168 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Oh heck yeah. For years, this is what keeps me coming to these forums. I prefer discourse to like minded thinking. I'll read, and re-read and think about what I read. I may do a little research to satisfy my curiosity. Many times I have changed my postion on a subject because of the suggestive writing of a very talented poster. Only for another, just as passionate person to come along and cause me to lean towards the edge of my box. Before I know it, I'm looking for more information to support that subject matter. Many times, I go back and forth. (censorship thread is a very good example) that topic went all over the planet, and so did my brain. People brought perspectives to the computer screen, that I never thought of, until brought to the forefront. Then I sure did think about it. I don't think a perspective was missed. So to answer your question. Yes, absolutely. I can't imagine a world where we all think the same.

11-07-2011, 02:15 PM	#7
Cin Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Truly Madly Deeply Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: In My Head Posts: 2,805 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,326 Thanked 10,618 Times in 2,489 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	I was writing a post this morning in the lesbian butches thread and it got me thinking about how much I’ve changed. This thread was a direct result of that realization. I got to thinking about all the people whose posts on this forum and the other who have been a part of my progression. People I don’t know and people who don’t know me and have no idea the effect their words have had in my life. I can site specific threads on .com that contributed to my changing certain ways I view things. It’s not that I read one post and then I completely change my outlook about something. It’s more that while reading the words of others there are seeds planted, ideas that germinate and as a direct result of these experiences I slowly change and grow. I have another question. Is there a particular style of presentation that works best for you? Is there a style that just turns you off and no matter what the person says you won’t hear them? __________________ The reason facts don’t change most people’s opinions is because most people don’t use facts to form their opinions. They use their opinions to form their “facts.” Neil Strauss

02-02-2013, 04:00 PM	#8
aishah Member How Do You Identify?: queer stone femme shark baby girl Preferred Pronoun?: she, her, little one Relationship Status: dating myself. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 1,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,823 Thanked 6,437 Times in 1,288 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	yes, it has for me (here and elsewhere). there are a lot of things in my life i'm not interested in changing my mind on, or that are so rooted in personal experience that i probably will not change (although i can't say never), but there are also a lot of things that i've learned from reading other posters here and elsewhere that have made me look at things from different perspectives and reconsider strong (even rigidly held) beliefs. for me, forums (especially when there is serious discussion) can be a way of working out what i think about something in my own mind, through typing it in a post, or working through my point of view and understanding an issue from different points of view, which sometimes leads to significant changes in how i look at things. for me at least, personal experience is more important than opinion or statistics or whatever when it comes to those discussions, usually, and i value what people share of their personal experiences here. there are lots of other great things about message boards, but that is what i love about discussing difficult topics here.

08-17-2015, 08:54 PM	#9
Tuff Stuff Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Woman Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: Married Join Date: May 2013 Location: California Posts: 695 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 904 Thanked 1,318 Times in 506 Posts Rep Power: 9408452	The web,social media has open up so many doors in terms of learning.I'm the first to admit that i can be pretty stubborn in my ways and thinking.I do have a very open mind,nothing can shock me,i've seen and heard it all...so I believe.But every once and awhile I will get my mind totally crammed with new information from some one in person or online that I just have to sit back and really absorb those new ideas on how they see and understand the world...and it really makes so much more sense than my way. So yes,I can also shut-up and be a student.