this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2023
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Why not? Compared to other social media it's way better equipped for reasoned debate, with an easy-to-read layout designed for mountains of text and ease of linking sources. Maybe c/memes isn't the right place but considering how serious the rest of this thread is I'm pretty sure my spiel was worth it.
Maybe the people in my social circle are just a lower caliber than yours, but I can't remember the last time I got asked to source an opinion irl. Most of my friends already agree with me. Hell, offline, most people aren't willing to discuss politics at all. Even saying you have opinions on politics is basically a faux pas...
It’s not a place for nuanced debate because I have no idea who I’m talking to.
I’d rather devote my time to having those nuanced conversations in real life (which I do) than trying to convince an American online through a meme community that gun bans would reduce school shootings for example.
If you actually have a group of peers that consistently challenge each other and have scholarly debate, congrats. You're in a very small minority. You personally not having a use for arguing online doesn't mean it's useless. I know plenty of Americans who have been convinced that gun control is important by things they've seen online.
Very few people in this thread are kidding around. It's worth pointing out that most of the things they are saying are extremely shallow.
Why should you only have discussions with people you know?
If you only have these discussions with people you know, more than likely, they are in your ideological bubble. You are just creating your own echo chamber. We may be randos on the internet, but we could be next to you on the subway or your cubicle. Most of us here probably like to debate somewhat.
I never said I only have discussions with people I know.
I actively have political conversations in real life on actual policy issues with a broad range of people.
Have you never campaigned before?
Unless you're a lib in the workplace then you can say whatever bullshit hot takes you want, since everyone will agree with you anyway.
The word "lib" is so vague now, that it has lost meaning.
Some people use it with the original meaning, but most just call anyone who isn't right wing a lib.
Buzzwords, as the original commenter said.
Same for "right wing" and "fascist" and every other piece of shit insult ya'll use in daily discourse.