AC

As someone who seems to enjoy arguing, you might not be aware that very few people change their minds, opinions and attitudes once they are formed. Some 'experts' say that 5-7 years of age is the most impressionable period - which is why tyrannical governments like to get them early (child "care" centres, e.g).

I don't know enough to comment on that. But the human brain is not fully developed until the age 25 years, and 27 years is the age where other 'experts' say it's all over.

Further, people under 50 years of age are deemed to be a waste of space, thanks to the changes that took place in education and brainwashing in the 60s.

Whatever the truth is, you have proof here, on OLO, that some people anyway never change their minds. So, there is no good reason to argue with them. Unless, of course, you enjoy it. It will make no difference, though.

Support your side, vote wisely, and hope for the best. There are about 18 million other Australians doing that without the help of online keyboard warriors.

Humans operate on different frequencies. If someone
disagrees with us - it's not necessarily because they're
wrong and we're right. It's because they believe in
something that we don't believe.

Most of us live in a perpetual echo chamber. We tend to
befriend people like us. We tend to read news and media
outlets that are on the same political frequency as us.
And this means that our opinions are probably not being
tested nearly as much as they should.

That's why expert opinions help.

They give us an opportunity to take
a fresh look at issues through the eyes of people who
know them best. Each issue usually has an explanation
as well as recommendations for how to improve and fix
issues. Experts usually - provide a path forward to
improvement. It isn't enough to tell us something isn't
working.

It's also helpful to try not to belittle the other person.
To not ostracize or ridicule them. Although this may be
hard to avoid - given the circumstances. However, we
should remember that this has a counter-productive effect
of activating the other person's defences and solidifies
their position. The moment you belittle - you've lost
the battle.

I find it helpful to read expert opinions of people who
are on the front-line of issues who promote ideas and
guidelines based on best practice from experts in their
relevant fields. As stated experts provide a path
forward to improvement. That of course is a personal
and a subjective view.

I enjoy OLO - because of the variety of views expressed.
I may not agree with many of the views. However I have
been made from time to time - to try to see things
from different perspectives.

If we all agreed - this forum would not be as interesting as
it currently is.

Foxy,
Can you be honest ? Would you prefer to live in an unworkable democracy or under Sharia ?
I believe that Democracy could benefit from a very minor slice of Sharia.
Even better would be the ten Commandments as part of Democratic Law. The Woke certainly need to become a thing of the past asap ! Merit based remuneration would sort this out instantly !

on learning I had a small amount of Aboriginal blood called me a "CONCRETE JUNGLE BUNNY"
Paul1405,
I only just read your quip again & it only just hit me that I never called "you" that. I referred to people living in city high rise concrete warrens. It was you who decided rather opportunistically that I targeted you. You called yourself a CJB !

That's okay Indy, with the passing of time you can attempt to cloud what you said, feel free to lie to justify your racism. YOU never mentioned CONCRETE JUNGLE BUNNY in relation to "people" living in city high rise, YOU directed it at me after I disclosed I live in a city, and I have a fraction of Aboriginal blood, but whatever you say, I and others know the truth.

ttbn,

The idea that people's attitudes are set in stone after the age of seven isn’t true. People can change their opinions at all stages of life as they experience new things and learn - particularly those who score high in openness. You’ve also overlooked genetic influences in opinion forming, too.

Your point about so-called “tyrannical” governments using care centres for the young to indoctrinate is a baseless conspiracy theory, unless you consider playing in sandpits or with wooden blocks indoctrination.

That brain development is "over" at age 27 isn’t entirely true. Clearly you are talking from your own personal experience only. For most of us, learning and cognitive growth still continue throughout life as the brain continues to make new connections and adapts to new circumstances.

To say that anyone under 50 is obviously wrong. Given the subtle point you’re trying to make there, you could have just said 46 - but then that probably wouldn’t have been so subtle, would it? It would be more accurate to say that the experiences of the oldest generation are no longer relevant to today's world now that we know so much more, but even that’s unfair.

Ironically, critical thinking has become central to Western education systems since the ‘60’s. So, your point there is baseless and sounds petulant.

Your defeatist claim that debate is a waste of time because just because a few, like yourself, are unwilling to change their minds dismisses the importance of discourse. You may be intransigent in your opinions, but many others are willing to modify theirs when presented with evidence.