Arguments and Debates

Thank you for helping me notice.

I know what it is now. Why do I keep arguing no matter how groundless some comments are? Why is it I can think "Wow this guy is an idiot for saying this," but still, talk and try to convince that person why I feel he/she is wrong? Most importantly, as a personal question, why do I get riled up by the stupidest comments?!

Because, I've come to notice, I believe it's a chess game.

-

1. The right to dismiss - Just because a person made the most ridiculous move on the chessboard does not give me the right to say "hah you're an idiot, I don't want to waste time playing with you". This is the equivalent of "this is a pointless discussion because you're an idiot, I'm not talking about this anymore" in an argument.

2. The game is between the two people playing - If 99.99% of the world agree that there is a particular piece you should be moving but you think otherwise, it's probably better for your game if you followed what you believe, the equivalent of how what others think do not directly affect the people in the argument.

3. Don't bring your personal feelings / emotion in the game - Your emotions have nothing to do with how well your pieces are played. Neither does it have anything to do with how well you argue or debate an issue. Be especially sure to take note of this in an argument between friends.

4. Stay focused to the purpose - You have certain small goals throughout a chess game, for instance exposing your opponent's King, or forcing trades when you have an advantage over them in terms of quantity; but your ultimate purpose to win is always there. Just as you will have different purposes of arguing or debating, stay focused and never sidetrack. The ultimate purpose of arguing or debating is also always there, but it may not always be to win. Whatever it is, just relate each statement you make throughout the course of your argument/debate to this question: "Would making this statement help me achieve that purpose?"

5. The endgame - Incoming cliche - The real winner at the end of the day is one who understands and works on fixing his flaws, not the winner of the actual game. You may have played the same strategy for every chess game (equivalent of having a certain stand on something your whole life) but it is never too late to alter or change your strategies (equivalent of changing your mind regarding an issue).

~

This used to bother me ALL the damn time since like x years ago. I couldn't help but to argue with people even though (or especially when) I think they're bringing up bad arguments. I envied people (especially my brother) who were able to just dismiss silly comments. But I see being like this has its benefits too.

Seriously, thanks for helping me answer the question. There's this satisfaction in me, both for discovering it and for being able to write about it. And I really haven't written anything particularly Brandon-ish for a really long time, until now. Ahh, welcome back, me.