>
This is a friendly reminder to read our rules.
Remember, /r/Showerthoughts is for showerthoughts, not "thoughts had in the shower!"
(For an explanation of what a "showerthought" is, please read this page.)
Rule-breaking posts may result in bans. >

It's very rare for someone to "win" a political or philosophical argument in the moment. Most "wins" come later when the information you shared or learned meets a slightly different context in a different moment and begins to make sense, even if you don't necessarily tie that epiphany back to any specific interaction, or even if there is no epiphany moment, just a slow evolution of view. >

This guy argues with dumb people. >

It's why I post on Reddit. I talk through things rather than just playing them out in my head.
Sometimes I'm really wrong and I get my ass handed to me. That's a part of the learning process. >

If you can't explain something simply you don't understand it well enough >

-Michael Scott >

I disagree but only with you calling this arguing.
In my experience, arguments are a terrible method to convince anyone of anything important. Try to imagine arguing with a 3 year old about some truth versus simply speaking the truth in their presence, without confrontation. A toddler, or a dumb person, is more likely to mimic what they respect or what vindicates their ideas and emotions than they are to admit being wrong.
I absolutely agree that learning to explain the same concept to a variety of people in a variety of ways is an excellent way to become smarter. >

Reddit is horrible for this. The most reasonable thinkers usually get downvoted too :p It's hilarious >

Prepares you for telling the difference and standing your ground with Intentionally disagreeable folks too >

Parent of two and one year olds.. ”I am the smartest man alive!” >

Some people agree, some people disagree... which "side" are the dumb people? >

Yes. >

lol No.
Explaining topics that you have legitimate knowledge of to the uneducated but interested forces you to figure out new ways to explain some of those topics, which can sometimes lead to new ways of thinking about said topics (thus becoming "smarter"). Arguments however usually arise with the self-righteous but uninterested -- the "dumb" people you refer to -- and so they're just a waste of your time. And in any argument there's a possibility that you will be the self-righteous but uninterested. >

Never argue with a dumb person, they'll only bring you down to there level, then beat you with experience!! >

You may be able to wrestle and win with a pig... but you come out just as dirty as they are. I typically don't bother arguing with anyone unless absolutely necessary, or if it's for spectators, like here on Reddit. >

It only makes you angry. You usually can't explain things so they'll understand. They don't want to understand.