I just don't understand why people can't take a debate seriously.

They start an argument with you, and then can't stick to it. They have to call you names and try to attack you personally instead of attacking your argument. And then sometimes they even turn around and accuse you of doing the name calling. I don't get it.

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CountScrofula · 41-45, M

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe

The tl;dr version is that your brain reacts to attacks on your ideas the way it does to physical attacks. So you get an intense, emotional response unless you've kind of trained yourself to deal with cognitive backfire.

And I find the stupider the belief, the stronger the reaction.