Playing to the Onlookers

Emmie #494: Thathalfrican, I suspect you may never change the mind of the person you are debating, but if you have an audience, there may be someone in it who will realize you made a good point and perhaps see the light.

I first learned this from experience debating folks on forums on CompuServe, practically pre-Web. I wouldn't make any headway with my debate "opponent," but I would get all kinds of emails from folks, too wary of the heat to get in the kitchen themselves, understandably, but appreciative of whatever point I was making.

It's not about persuading the Other Side, but the un-de-sided.

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