Poll: Am I wrong to do this?

[geldonyetich]

I've been accused of being a drama queen before, and I really hate to make a thread all about me, but this is just interesting enough that I thought it'd be worth mentioning.

Basically, I've a habit of confronting people who reply to my messages as misinterpreting what I'm saying. More often than not, they're arguing with me because they're unable to understand what I wrote.

Now, here's the thing: chances are, it's because they're simply too young to understand. It's not that I don't think kids are smart - I do, they're voracious learners, and I respect that - but there is something to be said for a later kind of mental development that doesn't come about until later. For some people, they never grow outside of their immature thought habits.

But, even knowing that they may be physically unable to understand what I'm getting at, I call them on their misunderstandings anyway.
Why? Because I feel that if I do that, I'm actually helping them to learn faster, to get out of this immature thought pattern sooner than if I ignored them.

Am I wrong to do this - should I just ignore them instead?

 

[hyperhammy]

If you know they are just kids, then why would you argue with them? Why would you argue with anyone? What are the chances of you actually changing someone's opinion...
Just my thoughts on this topic.

 

[hyperhammy]

getting all bent out of shape over this is about as pointless as this thread.

Basicly this. ^

 

[Kasawd]

Just remember: if the age gap is large enough, you may be harassing the folk that will eventually choose the retirement home that was featured on 60 minutes for ya.

XD

Just take it easy in arguments, as a rule of thumb, I suppose(That's hypocritical, coming from me).

 

[hyperhammy]

I've been accused of being a drama queen before, and I really hate to make a thread all about me

I got new for you, you just did... =D

 

[geldonyetich]

getting all bent out of shape over this is about as pointless as this thread.

Basicly this. ^

I don't get it. I'm really not getting getting bent out of shape, I'm honestly asking for opinions on this behavior of mine.

I've been accused of being a drama queen before, and I really hate to make a thread all about me

I got new for you, you just did... =D

Me: I anticipate that I might be interpreted as being a drama queen here, and want to explain that's not what's going on here.
Hyperhammy: Lol! Drama queen!
Me: ...

 

[hyperhammy]

It's the way you approach it... I've seen some of your posts and you get really cocky!

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

Arguing with little kids over trivial crap is as pointless as throwing a feather at a house to make it crumble

 

[Lullabye]

You know, I don't see what age has to do with inability to understand someone else. Hell, how many politicians are "young", yet they still clearly demonstrate their inability to understand(or care) about others opinions.
Really, all you're doing is saying something ignorant and are worrying over nothing. You're not in the wrong for confronting people, but are so for blaming/believing it to be a simple matter of age. If you meant age as in "maturity", then I agree with you.

 

[The Mick]

Kids are jerks I believe the younger you are the more of a jerk you'll be honestly I used to be the king of jerks but as I got older I realized how much I hated who I was. I grew up when I realized this no matter how many people would tell me I was wrong in my head I was right. Growing up is definitely something you have to do on your own pushing people to the edge thinking you're doing them a favor doesn't work until they themselves are ready and like I said that will happen as they get older so as for right now just ignore them. It's a lot less work for you and keeps you from being put in a position where you have to stoop down to their level.

 

[geldonyetich]

Really, all you're doing is saying something ignorant and are worrying over nothing. You're not in the wrong for confronting people, but are so for blaming/believing it to be a simple matter of age. If you meant age as in "maturity", then I agree with you.

I mostly mean maturity, yeah.

It's sort of evident in the way they argue. They'll either patiently get to the bottom of what I'm talking about and formulate a reasonable response or (far more common) horribly misinterpret what I wrote in the worst possible way to try to make themselves look good (which is annoying when I wasn't expecting an argument).

 

[hyperhammy]

You shouldn't give a rats ass. What right do you have to say someone's opinion is wrong.

 

[unoleian]

Words are just words. There is no realization of the veracity of any claim of misconception until one actively experiences a contrary for themselves.

There is no "wrong," really, but simply a pointless attempt at a lecture.

 

[Kaymish]

if you can be bothered arguing with them good on you Bearing the slings and arrows of ignorance in order to enlighten others is noble and we need as many noble people as we can get.
I normally don't give a rats arse especially since most come back saying dont be so pedantic or zero punctuation is a video series or some stupid thing like that when they know i have beaten them in the argument

 

[Samurai Goomba]

Well, you're whizzing in the ocean.

Personally, I think you're wasting your time. For every person you set straight, there are a thousand more ready to misinterpret your next post. If you spend all your time being reactionary, you're never going to post anything original or interesting.

 

[SonicKoala]

To be honest, it's hard to give an opinion on this without actually seeing an example - if someone blatantly misinterprets something you said, then you have every right to tell them why they're wrong. However, if their response is something which could be vaguely construed as "immature", then you may want to consider re-thinking your usual approach and maybe just ignore it. Frankly, I highly doubt that anybody is going to be profoundly influenced by a random stranger on the internet.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I personally think that the ability to understand is less about a physical change (which is part of the reason and more about the fact that over time we accrue a reservoir of experiences and facts that eventually act as a platform to help us reach understanding.

Either way, I don't see the point is arguing with those who just don't get it. You can explain it as clearly as possible but if they don't understand, then they just aren't going to get it. These no point arguing with someone who will never get it not to mention that it might make them more stubborn if you argue with them about it, retarding their development.

 

[HotFezz8]

im probably falling into your "young" slot, and im a 20 year old university student? do i count as intellingent enough?

i don't think this has anything to do with whether you should or should not correct children for all our silly little mistakes. personnaly im offended by the sheer arrogance and disdain you clearly feel for all us lesser retards.

so yeah, i would say its wrong to automatically assume that someone being unable to comprehend your thread means you should assume they are a brain dead infant.

 

[Sennz0r]

Frankly, I highly doubt that anybody is going to be profoundly influenced by a random stranger on the internet.

This, basically. I mean it's not wrong to try and make people understand your perspective, especially when they misinterpreted what you said. But it sounds like you're trying to teach kids to change their thought process by correcting them once, maybe twice. In all likelihood they'll just shrug off you correcting them because you're just another faceless name on the internet, and they don't have to put up with it.

So it's a noble cause, but in the long run it's pretty ineffective. Like Quit Facebook Day.

 

[YouCallMeNighthawk]

Yeah but when you read text you can't tell what you're trying to say or how you're saying it. It's like when someone jokes about something they will smirk to show they are joking. you can't tell that through text unless you use the almighty "lol"

Or maybe you think you are writing correctly but infact you are putting yourself accross wrong?