Engaging with opponents on social media - Crap/Not Crap

[Tony Pepperoni]

There seems to be quite a bit of preaching to the converted on social media. Is it a worthwhile use of time to try and engage with political opponents on there?

If so, what are some good do's and don't and tips/strategies?

For example it might be better to focus on the young ukipper's as they are supposed to more libertarian than the older lot who it's easy to suspect are the more bitter hateful xenophobic side.

Is it better yet to focus on Labour or tory voters?

I don't really know what I'm trying to achieve really, I'd be happy for ukip to take a big bite out of the tory vote in 2015 (if that's what is even happening), to give Labour a bit more freedom, as I am still naive enough to believe the Labour party can be dragged back to the left and denounce not only blairism/neo-liberalism, but also become a socialist party in the long run.

 

[Dillinger4]

Waste of time.

 

[Maurice Picarda]

Libertarians are hateful and bitter, by definition.

 

[Blagsta]

There's very little point in engaging with "libertarians" ime. They're mostly incapable of thinking beyond their own limited social experience.

 

[Dillinger4]

'social media' is not designed for political engagement.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

I don't know why you are posting with this alt account when your original account isn't banned.

 

[CNT36]

There seems to be quite a bit of preaching to the converted on social media. Is it a worthwhile use of time to try and engage with political opponents on there?

If so, what are some good do's and don't and tips/strategies?

For example it might be better to focus on the young ukipper's as they are supposed to more libertarian than the older lot who it's easy to suspect are the more bitter hateful xenophobic side.

Is it better yet to focus on Labour or tory voters?

I don't really know what I'm trying to achieve really, I'd be happy for ukip to take a big bite out of the tory vote in 2015 (if that's what is even happening), to give Labour a bit more freedom, as I am still naive enough to believe the Labour party can be dragged back to the left and denounce not only blairism/neo-liberalism, but also become a socialist party in the long run.

You only need to look in the annoying posts threads to see some of racist and regressive shit that is posted up. 'Common sense' meme's that are passed around by friends That were created by some group of patriots. Do you let that shit pass or give another view that might actually make a slight difference. It is a lot of people's main source of news and information it seems shortsighted to let it be dominated by racist, homophobic and right wing bollocks. There's EDL and similar organisations propagandising with there gro.ps, campaigns and events. Some of which appeal to people who often when given an alternative view quickly become less enthusiastic about there groups and viewpoints. I don't its the great progressive and revolutionary force that some people do but to not engage is too leave it to become the opposite.

'social media' is not designed for political engagement.

Neither is real life.

 

[BigTom]

I enjoy discussions with a few people who disagree with me but can hold a good argument, not repeat bullshit nonsense, accept that they may be wrong or that their experience doesn't map neatly onto everyones lives.
Libertarians though, like blagsta said, no. just no.

 

[Tony Pepperoni]

I don't know why you are posting with this alt account when your original account isn't banned.

my initial thought was, "so much editing, so little time"... but there seems to be no edit option for old posts?

also, that's hardly my original account... i think it was my fourth.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

my initial thought was, "so much editing, so little time"... but there seems to be no edit option for old posts?

also, that's hardly my original account... i think it was my fourth.

I have no idea what you are on about. Use your Will2403 account from now on. I'm banning this one.

 

[Tony Pepperoni]

can we not just consign that account and all those posts to the dustbin of u75 and history?

 

[frogwoman]

I enjoy discussions with a few people who disagree with me but can hold a good argument, not repeat bullshit nonsense, accept that they may be wrong or that their experience doesn't map neatly onto everyones lives.
Libertarians though, like blagsta said, no. just no.

Me too.

 

[muscovyduck]

I think it's always good to make some form of argument or point out hypocrisy (mainly if the opponent is higher profile) because it might get picked up elsewhere (for example, the Laurie Penny thread). Things like that stack up over time.

However it's best to use time doing other stuff if possible. It's not the best method of getting things done and it can begin to feel like you're wasting your life arguing on the internet, because things like that stack up over time.

 

[editor]

I had one political argument with someone on their Facebook wall. I pulled apart his dodgy claims one by one, so he just deleted all my posts and defriended me in a huff.

That taught me all I need to know about how fucking shit Facebook is for any kind of debate.

 

[Part 2]

I had one political argument with someone on their Facebook wall. I pulled apart his dodgy claims one by one, so he just deleted all my posts and defriended me in a huff.

My friend did that when I reminded him of the time he wore a rubber vest.

 

[poului]

Tried it once. Never again.

 

[Tom A]

Exercise in futility, which leaves you hating humanity.