Politics - Struggling to stay on topic Why do people struggle to stay on topic? I often see...

Because some questions are baiting the other side.

And the choice really comes down to them.

I had a passion for online discussions for a long time (can't stand it now) and I found a pattern where a thread might start out short and sweet, but over time, every response gets longer and longer until each party is reading a damn book every time it's someone else's turn.

My solution to that was to sum up my main point in the least amount of words possible (perferably one sentence) and ignore that internal impulse that demands, "But I gotta cover this and this and this and this too". Just choose one point, hope it covers multiple facets, and say it.

SW-User

It's called deflection. When people can't answer a legitimate question, they pivot immediately and deflect and attack.

Elessar · 26-30, M

Sometimes it's done intentionally to dodge the question, other times it's simply because people need to make comparisons.

* Edit: intentionally, not internationally lol

TinyViolins · 31-35, M

There are many ways to resolve a conflict, and not all of them are good ones. At some point, someone learned that one way to end an argument was to avoid, deflect, dismiss, or attack.

It's unfortunate, but without consequences, people tend to continue engaging in bad habits. If someone consistently wants to argue in bad faith, the only option is to block or ignore them. They're not seeking to cooperate or learn

BohemianBabe · M

Bothsidesing-ass bothsidesing. The almost only happens on the Right. The only time people will bring up Trump when talking about Harris is in relation to the election, where we have to choose between the two.

ElwoodBlues · M

In a presidential election, the choice isn't among an infinity of candidates; it's between candidate A and candidate B (or a "protest" vote).

And so, one cannot consider the attributes of candidate B in isolation; it's always part of a comparison between candidates. And sure, both candidates are flawed. But we still have to compare them to pick the lesser of two evils.

There may be a few questions about attributes of candidate A that don't insinuate an agenda driven comparison with candidate B, but such questions are few and far between.

akindheart · 61-69, F

it is called projection in many instances but the old saying goes, Who is without sin, let them cast the first stone" and that is what is happening. The truth is the real truth has not been told. on anything

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

It's tiresome.

TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 46-50, MVIP

MistyCee

Its a constant struggle, imo, to keep posts reasonably related to the OP on here and still let folks put in their two cents.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

One dot at a time - no pictures. Americans hate context and obviously you deserve only one dot.

GentleLucille · 26-30, F

Short attention spans and not reading the original post carefully enough may also be factors.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

The race replaces politics in fascist countries. Americans are doing it right. Far, far right.

Spoiledbrat · F

Sometimes people just say what comes to mind.

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