Sometimes it’s more about convincing the random lurkers reading everything than convincing the person you’re arguing against.

(Also, people rarely admit losing an argument and changing their mind in the moment. But later on, in private, they might change their views because of the argument.)

On the other hand, there are times when I have written paragraphs of well sourced text on my phone, and just before pressing “Post” I realize that I don’t care about it.

I generally never enter an online debate with the intention of convincing the other person of my point of view. I enter a debate to provide a (hopefully) strong counter argument for the benefit of the lurkers reading.

As an example, I am extremely unlikely to convince a tankie that the USSR’s authoritarianism is a bad thing, but my arguments may help a less politically savy reader not become duped by a tankie’s propaganda, and that’s worthwhile to try for.

Those arguments are for the onlookers.

Sometimes it’s about clarifying your own thoughts.

It’s not about changing minds, it’s about being right. 😎

Good thing that argument fizzled out in a chase for internet points and nothing was taken out on the streets.