If you’re going to argue against what “people” say, you’re always going to look like you’re the smart one and the person you’re disagreeing with is the stupid one.
No, it wouldn't bother people so much if you made an argument instead of handing out judgement. You come across as extremely arrogant and you don't make arguments, you make statements.
They're saying it's okay to convince people with arguments about personal sacrifices, but if it's not hurting you directly and immediately then your argument annoys them and they don't want to hear about it.
By glossing over important points and focusing on ones you feel you can argue against you’re coming across as someone who simply wants to argue.
I’m only saying this because I suspect that otherwise if people fail to change your mind you’ll walk away thinking you were vindicated by their silence, when it’s just as likely that they’ve followed the old adage: “Never Wrestle with a Pig. You Both Get Dirty and the Pig Likes It”.
Or 4. I don't care to argue those points because I find doing so to not be entertaining or insightful. I used to argue to the death and then I realized that in the end it brought neither joy nor enlightenment. So I don't anymore.
You're free to think you've won, I don't care. Although one piece of life advice for someone who seems to like arguing and seems to be good at it. People will often stop arguing with you because they find it tiring. You'll think you've won and pat yourself on the back. They'll think you didn't win. Instead they'll just think you're good at arguing (but still wrong), an a-hole and will dislike you silently from then on.
Normally I would have stopped responding by now but I find this side conversation insightful.
If you don’t want to hear from someone who doesn’t agree with you, I agree you’re not looking for a debate. The word instead is preaching.
(There’s not necessarily anything wrong with that, but it’s a quite different activity with a propensity to convince primarily people who already agree with you.)
I get what the author is trying to convey but for me, I find avoiding sources of offense leads to a happier life. Primarily, this means low social media consumption. I spend about 15 minutes a week catching up with the happenings of my family and a few actual friends. I try to ignore the rest, but even when I see something I disagree with or take offense to, I just don’t engage. I also try to mirror this in meatspace. I certainly like a debate with certain people, it’s a great conversation. But most people I find just like to argue and will stand their ground until death even when faced with evidence/proof/reason of the contrary. I don’t need that type of debate. I’m always willing to admit I may be wrong or have outdated/incomplete information and a lot of people just don’t engage on that same level. I suppose this represents the “shutting down” but why would I continue a conversation where someone is obviously having strong convictions and I believe it’s absolute rubbish (based on lies, wrong facts, regurgitated news media opinions as truths, etc)
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