There are so many people here I want to debate but at the same time I honestly worry if i'm wasting my time trying to change people's perceptions

@SW-User Absolutely! I wish I could give that comment 346 hearts. :)

@SW-User we can be convinced if the facts are sufficient to prove the opinion being expressed. At least, some of us, are open to listening and learning.

@Serenitree Why is it even necessary to change people's perceptions? Wouldn't it be simpler to just live and let live and agree to differ? Or is that asking for the world?

@NankerPhelge certainly. But then there would never be a need for conversations. People who never disagree with anyone must have no opinions of their own.

@Serenitree I have very strong opinions of my own, I always did when I was a child, but I still prefer conversations with people who agree with me more often than they don't.

@NankerPhelge then I suppose we will have to agree to disagree. I too have strong opinions of my own, but I learn very little from discussions with only those who agree with me. I like hearing what others think, and I like discussing our differences. And maybe I can learn something, and possibly the person I'm talking to will also learn something.

@Serenitree I may listen to what others think, but if I don't agree with them already then there is no use expecting me to. Changing one's views is too much like adapting to change and (Heaven forbid) letting go of the past, a task about as easy as lifting up the Rock of Gibraltar and lobbing it all the way to Saturn.

@Serenitree I agree some can be, but most are not willing to listen no matter how convincing your argument or facts are. :/

@SW-User they are the ones who's minds are made up and won't believe that something is dangerous, even as they lay dying from doing it. If I am not willing to discuss, then I will learn nothing.

When I come here, I learn new things every day. It's amazing how many things I've believed all my life, that turned out to be false. Someone says something. It's totally different from what I think. Off I go, looking for the information I need to show them that they are wrong. Not so amazingly, I discover they are right, and I've been misinformed.

This to me, is life at its most exciting; learning, and if possible, teaching too. I find I learn nothing from people who think exactly as I do, so I like to discuss differences of opinion, as long as it has nothing to do with religion or politics. Too many hot heads floating around those topics.