Notes on the Decline of a Great Nation

[civver_764]

That was like, 2 or 3 weeks ago, civver, you can't expect him to have the same views now!

Nah that was like 2 years ago.

 

[ParkCungHee]

That was like, 2 or 3 weeks ago, civver, you can't expect him to have the same views now!

How long, in your mind, should it take someone to change their viewpoint?

 

[GhostWriter16]

Two weeks implies a lot more carelessness in changing my position, or instability in the new position, than two years.

I don't have any position that I'd refuse to give up with a good enough argument against it, but some of my positions are mostly set in stone while others are far more open to be influenced.

 

[RobAnybody]

But, hey, let's get back to talking about how America is on a decline.

Let's look at Gordon Gecko's famous Greed Is Good speech, from nigh on 25 years ago:

"America has become a second rate power"

"[America]'s trade deficit & it's fiscal deficit are at nightmare proportions."

"TelDar Paper has 33 different Vice Presidents each earning over $200,000 a year."

"I am not a destroyer of companies. I am a liberator of them." - Romney, or Gecko?

Back in the '80's, people were worried about unemployment, the S&L Bailouts, Reagan raising taxes, the "unsustainability of Social Security & Medicare", amnesty granted to illegal immigrants, the air controllers unions, the exploding deficit, wars with Grendada, smog, The Bangles...

It's all the same crap we hear today. We'll be ok. Granted, Call Me Maybe gets stuck in your head instead of Walk Like An Egyptian, but other than that, it's all the same stuff.

 

[RobAnybody]

How long, in your mind, should it take someone to change their viewpoint?

OMG, I did *not* expect a such philosophical question when I was just making fun of GW's shallow thoughts! You are so deep & insightful. You have made me think about the universe. Can I friend you on FB? lol, bff's? I must now reconsider my worldview!

 

[ParkCungHee]

I don't have any position that I'd refuse to give up with a good enough argument against it, but some of my positions are mostly set in stone while others are far more open to be influenced.

What about that one you promised to repent on?

 

[ParkCungHee]

OMG, I did *not* expect a such philosophical question when I was just making fun of GW's shallow thoughts!

Making fun of something is not an excusable reason to make fun of something unintelligibly.

So tell me, if Ghostwriter is wrong to change his views on any matter, especially immediately, why should you make fun of him for "shallow thoughts?" After all, one shouldn't change your opinions too quickly now would it?

But since you're the type of person who has "deep thoughts" I really want to know what is the requisite amount of time to change you view on a subject? How does one spend the intervening time?

 

[RobAnybody]

Making fun of something is not an excusable reason to make fun of something unintelligibly.

So, wait, you expected me to give a definite answer to this question:

How long, in your mind, should it take someone to change their viewpoint?

Ok... um.... 2.4 years. That's how long, in my mind, it should take someone to change their viewpoint. Absolutely. 2.4 years. No more, no less.

You asked a dumb question. I mocked it. QED.

 

[ParkCungHee]

So, wait, you expected me to give a definite answer to this question:

Ok... um.... 2.4 years. That's how long, in my mind, it should take someone to change their viewpoint. Absolutely. 2.4 years.

You asked a dumb question. I mocked it. QED.

You argued a stupid position, I asked you to elaborate on it.

And I'm going to ask you to elaborate on it still.

During this 2.4 years, how should a person express their opinion on a matter?

Should they go through a transitionary position where they hold both positions simultaneously?

 

[RobAnybody]

You argued a stupid position, I asked you to elaborate on it.

I... argued... a stupid position? What position did I even argue? And why is it stupid? Help me out here. What stupid position of mine would you like for me to defend?

And I'm going to ask you to elaborate on it still.

Please elaborate on what you'd like for me to elaborate on.

During this 2.4 years, how should a person express their opinion on a matter?

Should they go through a transitionary position where they hold both positions simultaneously?

I'm thinking at this point you have no sense of humor. I'll elaborate on that, if you need me to, but if I've missed your point, please elaborate.

 

[GhostWriter16]

What about that one you promised to repent on?

Well, I first have to look it up, but if I'm wrong (That America was the only nation that ended up ending slavery through war) than I'll admit I was wrong. I'll still think the South was (more) right in the US civil war. But I'll admit I was wrong on the "America being the only nation requiring a war..." thingy.

 

[ParkCungHee]

I... argued... a stupid position? What position did I even argue? And why is it stupid? Help me out here. What stupid position of mine would you like for me to defend?

The idea that changing your position on a matter is something to be mocked for.

I'm thinking at this point you have no sense of humor.

I get that a lot. It's quite amusing.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Well, I first have to look it up, but if I'm wrong (That America was the only nation that ended up ending slavery through war) than I'll admit I was wrong.

You are wrong. The Haitians revolted against the French to secure the abolition of slavery.

The French themselves also are an example because the abolition of slavery was only achieved as a result of the French revolution.

 

[RobAnybody]

The idea that changing your position on a matter is something to be mocked for.

Did I say that? Please quote me. 'Cause if I said that, I'll join you in mocking me.

"changing your position on a matter is something to be mocked for" - RobAnybody

find that for me

EDIT: this post doesn't count!

 

[ParkCungHee]

Did I say that? Please quote me. 'Cause if I said that, I'll join you in mocking me.

So what exactly were you mocking GhostWriter for?

And while we're playing this game, can you quote me as saying I'm mocking you?

 

[RobAnybody]

The idea that changing your position on a matter is something to be mocked for.

/\ this

OMG, I think we've devolved into Semantics Wars. I give up.

 

[ParkCungHee]

OMG, I think we've devolved into Semantics Wars. I give up.

For someone who criticizes others for having different opinions on a matter after 2 or 3 weeks, you certainly changed your opinion on our discussion rather quickly.

 

[RobAnybody]

If you'd prefer to "win", then just let me know & I'll drop it & let you have the last word, validating your e-peen, but if you want to continue this discussion, please let me know what you think I changed my opinion on. I have the same opinions I had when we started.

For example:
- people complain about all the same stuff people compained about in the '80's
- you are annoying
- GW is wrong about pretty much everythung, & is kinda evil, when you get right down to it
- Walk Like An Egyptian is now stuck in my head

I still believe all that.

 

[civver_764]

If you'd prefer to "win", then just let me know & I'll drop it & let you have the last word, validating your e-peen, but if you want to continue this discussion, please let me know what you think I changed my opinion on. I have the same opinions I had when we started.

For example:
- people complain about all the same stuff people compained about in the '80's
- you are annoying
- GW is wrong about pretty much everythung, & is kinda evil, when you get right down to it
- Walk Like An Egyptian is now stuck in my head

I still believe all that.

You criticized GhostWriter for changing his opinion in a short period of time. He's just asking why you think that's bad.

 

[ParkCungHee]

If you'd prefer to "win", then just let me know & I'll drop it & let you have the last word, validating your e-peen, but if you want to continue this discussion, please let me know what you think I changed my opinion on. I have the same opinions I had when we started.

No, you started having a discussion with me, so it would be preferable if you continued it for 2.4 years, or at least 2 or 3 weeks.

- GW is wrong about pretty much everythung, & is kinda evil, when you get right down to it

Yes, but isn't that preferable to him actually learning from his mistakes, gaining knowledge and exercising virtue? Especially if he did this after only being wrong for 2 or 3 weeks. That would be indicative of "shallow thoughts."