It's important to remember that when having a disagreement, each side should exercise mutual respect for each other -- even if they both think the other is insanely stupid.

I had a fight here many, many years ago and hopefully learned from the experience. Here's what I learned:
  1. The obvious but sometime the hardest to see - you are disagreeing about topics, not people, their intelligence or personality - no personal attacks - keep things civilized and as diplomatic as you can
  2. Acknowledge their point as valid, but then explain why you think yours is better. This is very important.
  3. If you can't acknowledge their point as valid, acknowledge their intentions as being valid (Example: I know we are both earnestly trying to solve the same problem, but here is why I think my solution is better)
  4. Keep your opinions as opinions and keep all things stated as facts real, verified facts - it helps to cite verifications from respected sources
  5. Realize there comes a time when you have to agree to disagree and honor that

Trying to adhere to these guidelines has kept me out of many a fight online. And it's important to remember, once the fight starts, neither party will budge from their position so that flame war is not only distasteful, but it becomes a way to make it impossible to convince the other party that your side is right - in other words, it's counterproductive to the max.

Of course, this is only what works for me and is all entirely my opinion and does not (but should) apply to politicians and on-line propaganda sources disguised as news programs.

Insights and incites by Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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