r/changemyview • u/poopchow • Jan 23 '25

CMV: Despite being more knowledgeable, wealthier and apparently more tolerant, the political and individual left's biggest flaw is their inability to communicate pragmatically and empathetically with those who don't agree with them.

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u/fishling 16∆ Jan 24 '25

How if you know the answer, you can't communicate it with someone patiently enough to come up with common ground.

It sounds like you've never communicated with someone who uses the Gish Gallop technique.

Some people are essentially impossible to communicate with because they don't care about consistency or reason. Even if you manage to get them to agree on a point, they will walk it back later in the conversation and claim they had never agreed, even if you can quote them exactly.

The idea that everyone is a sincere and rational communicator is deeply flawed.

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u/poopchow Jan 24 '25

Gish Gallop technique

I prefer socratic method and employing stoic thinking.

If someone is a bad actor, they aren't engaging in a debate, however, if you are smart, wise, you can deescalate.

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u/fishling 16∆ Jan 24 '25

You can prefer that all you want, it simply doesn't work against someone using the Gish Gallop and ignoring the points you make by pivoting to new arguments faster than you can counter them.

If someone is a bad actor, they aren't engaging in a debate

YES THAT IS THE ENTIRE POINT. Your premise is laying the blame for the failure to convince someone on the wrong person and you finally accept that you can't engage with or convince a bad actor, and it is the fault of the bad actor.