Has a GN discussion/thread ever swayed your opinion?

Ricky Gervais quote:

Opinions don't affect facts. But facts should affect opinions, if you are sane and rational.

Learnt many things, seen things from a different point of view, but will never change my political views though

It's good to read other people's views, even if they don't change mine. I don't think I've ever been persuaded to change over completely to the opposite "side" but I have encountered food for thought several times on GN. I think hearing all sides is the only way to form a balanced opinion. We may still disagree (we may even disagree totally) but "keep your friends close", etc....

I'd hope I'd be open to changing my opinion after reading reasoned arguments that gave alternative viewpoints. GrannyGravy13 I'll join you in having my opinion on the return of Shamima Begum changed by the thoughtful posts of others on GN.
At the very least other viewpoints can give food for thought, even when they don't engender a change of opinion.

Swayed my thoughts is probably a good way of putting it.
As a simple example, I reel my exuberant dog in closer when passing more elderly walkers who might be unsure on their feet, because a few GNs have spoken of their fear or even mishaps.
I was wrong not to have considered this before.

In the bigger picture my views on politics and life are most likely influenced by my experiences and upbringing, so likewise if any GNetter writes from personal experience I tend to listen and maybe question myself more.
Anyone quoting incessantly from newspapers or twitter X does not influence me because often they aren't considering the bigger picture.

I can't remember actually changing my opinion on anything but I do think I've moderated my viewpoint on some topics. It's always interesting to see things from someone else's point of view and maybe become aware of something you hadn't thought of previously. So many different perspectives on this site which can be interesting.

There are many posters on GN who are very knowledgeable and I value their opinions. Others whose empathy is much needed at times.

I've been on GN for many years now and don't remember if I've ever changed my opinion but I'm always open to discussion and welcome the views of others even if I don't agree.

I can’t think of anything that has changed my mind, but often makes me re think and do further research.
Very occasionally an outburst makes me rethink my opinion of a poster, as limited as it is from just this site.

No, never actually changed my opinion, but it has been interesting to hear other views, some more interesting and valuable as others.

M0nica

Grantanow

Very rarely shifts my opinion. Too many posts from people with entrenched and bigoted views.

Don't the first and second sentences of your post mean much the same thing?

I thought that too when I read it! 🤣

Yes GN has swayed my opinion, haven’t been on the site anywhere near as long as some of you but certainly the information/advice given has taken the wind out of my sails when worrying unnecessarily about things, which I do need from time to time as am sure many of us do.
Also the estrangement thread offering support and friendship has really helped me. A big fat thank you to the regulars on there.

M0nica

I am sure i have, if not changed, moderated my opinions on some subjects after reading threads on GN, although none immediately springs to mind.

For me the biggest benefit from GN is the wide variety of people it brings togethe with wider range of backgrounds lives and experiences than I could ever possibly meet in my ordinary life.

I’d second that. I’ve learned so much, particularly on the News and Politics threads, and am grateful for informed views. But I haven’t changed my political views.

My point of view is probably influenced by lots of things so I wouldn't say that a GN discussion has made me change my mind. However, I do turn to GN forums to catch up with any of the latest news stories that I might have missed.

I've learnt from others point of view. My opinions have not changed much, if at all, however reading other views answers many questions.

Social media can be very intense!

I don't think my opinion has ever been swayed by anything I've read here. If anything, it's been confirmed.
However, I've had great advice, suggestions and support from posters on these forums which I greatly appreciate.

I suppose it acts as a reminder that other people who are perfectly fine and lovely have different opinions to you and we should always be mindful of that. I think it's also important to listen to people who post here who may have far more experience of the subject matter than you do and they should be listened to. All this requires being incredibly open and I suppose as it's so public we will all be more guarded than in real life anyway

I can't recall any posts which have changed my mind, but they help an understanding of points of view different from my own.

In response to Monica; 'Very rarely shifts my opinion. Too many posts from people with entrenched and bigoted views'. Don't they mean the same thing?^
No they do not; opinions are often carefully considered before being pronounced.

No never actually made me change my opinion, but offered others that I had never thought about.

I must have changed my opinion over the decade or so since I joined.

I would hope that I’m not so cloth-eared not to listen to other arguments.

But saying that I do have a set of moral principles that I live with so arguments that break these principles I find very difficult to be swayed by.

I am not a Christian but being brought up in a Christian country, I am aware of the 10 most important values of a Christian belief, and think that these are a good starting point.

Grantanow

Very rarely shifts my opinion. Too many posts from people with entrenched and bigoted views.

Don't the first and second sentences of your post mean much the same thing?

Very rarely shifts my opinion. Too many posts from people with entrenched and bigoted views.

Made me more well informed on a number of issues, what others think, and yes sometimes given me an opportunity to form a POV on something I didn't know about.

Yes sometimes! On many issues there can be several perspectives and different trains of thought. There has to be some nuance hardly any issues are rarely black and white. There are certain posters here on GN, from both the left and right, that pose really good arguments and some for me really nail their point of view brilliantly, I'd always listen to them, there are others I swerve because I know they're going to trot out a tunnel visioned party line, or come out with that hackneyed old b****cks "You can't believe everything you read in the DM" be more original can you? My political beliefs these days tend to be fluid and non aligned, because so much rubbish has been peddled in what we're expected to suck up from both sides. Some institutions have too much power and abuse it. Lobbyists too, carry way too much influence and are often self-serving. Financial institutions, banks etc. setting themselves up as moral arbiters well, as the saying goes. "Go do something to yourselves" Banks are nobody's friend we live in an insane world where so much of this nonsense should be challenged and that's why the likes of Farage resonate. JK Rowling quite rightly said the left have their selves to blame for the election of Trump. I would never have voted for him for a multitude of reasons, but neither would I have voted for the Democrats either and I definitely would have voted for them once if I were an American.

My husband, who is a bit of a Tory, has said on the occasions when he switches on GB News, that he finds both James Schneider certainly on the left of Labour and Lloyd Russell-Moyle ex Labour MP, very listenable in how they present an argument and often agrees with them. He was telling me yesterday when watching James Schneider on Michelle Dewberry, "I can't help really liking him he speaks straight from the heart and comes over very well". I know both of us don't engage with anyone who seeks to steamroller their point of view whatever their political persuasion. Most voters don't want to be lectured or admonished it's a massive turn off.

I think some threads have definitely made me think about certain subjects from a different point of view, and perhaps see things from a different angle. I agree with PoliticsNerd that others have also extended my knowledge too. I think it's very helpful to be able to read a wide range of differing opinions, even if you don't necessarily agree with them. Having a closed mind and refusing to acknowledge any view other than your own doesn't do anyone any favours.