Talk about deconversions (decons) here

[Francois Tremblay]

Either yours, or decons you are initiating yourself... whether you need help or just want to talk about a good decon.

[Phentos]

It's so nice when a person nods at every point you make. I mean, seriously -- not having to beat it into people really is satisfying.

[selfish communist]

It's so nice when a person nods at every point you make. I mean, seriously -- not having to beat it into people really is satisfying.

In my experience that normally means they think you are mad and are just being polite. The most convincing are the ones who contest every point often irrationally and from a position of assumptions but who then come back two weeks later claiming to have a agreed with you all the time. I have literally made statists (well one) flee the pub in tears because of the way I have undermined their world view only for them to thank me a few weeks later - they go home and stew over it.

[Francois Tremblay]

SC, a bit dramatic no? I mean, aren't you over-stating (HAH!) this a bit?

[limbo_cow]

I find people are often to involved in their ego to accept your argument during it, however, it seems a few days later, after thinking it over, they agree. This can backfire as well, it seems if presented "wrong" the first time, people can become defiant to a concept and all hope of swaying them is lost.

[selfish communist]

SC, a bit dramatic no? I mean, aren't you over-stating (HAH!) this a bit?

No really, he also happens to be the head of a very large NGO and wanted to be a Labour MP. I was very drunk and when idiot liberals who I don't like much anyway come out with shit like that I might over react slightly I wasn't trying to convert him anyway I just wanted him to know exactly why I despised him. Also I am (well sort of now) a construction worker, so sometimes make people like that nervous.

The thing is libertarianism is common sense so it's difficult not to at least temporarily change people's opinions even when you're not trying to.

[Francois Tremblay]

Do you know what happened to this person?

[selfish communist]

Well he still works for NGOs as they pay very good money so I don't blame him for that. I won't say which one because it would give him away but he left the Labour party and now doesn't do much activism outside of work except in support of Palestinian refugees. He is still sympathetic to libertarian ideas though I imagine by now he has drifted back a bit through continuing to associate with statists whereas I still don't have much time for him.

[Francois Tremblay]

Aw come on, tell us who it is!

[selfish communist]

No. Sorry I don't like him much but you never know who is reading this and I wouldn't want to embarrass him. It took a good character to come and tell me I was right after that.

Solidarity you see?

[Francois Tremblay]

Oh fine. But good work.

[Thank You]

flee the pub in tears

That's hardly a fair playing field. Some people can hold their alcohol much better than others.

[Ratter]

Me and a friendly socialist leprechaun have been bouncing emails back and forth for a few days. It's quite entertaining, and better than face-to-face conversation or instant messaging, because you get time to look up the facts and figures (and dig through threads to find Mr. Fahringer's brilliant solutions).

So far, I think I'm winning. Arguing from human rights is the best.

[Francois Tremblay]

Arguing from human rights is the best.

Can you be more... specific?

[Ratter]

Arguing from human rights is the best.

Can you be more... specific?

Instead of trying to argue "anarchy won't result in the rich dominating everyone!", start by explaining what you're arguing FROM. A is A, right to life, right to liberty, right to property, and why they have to exist. It leaves a lot less room for misunderstanding.