Have you ever read a thread and changed your mind on an opinion you felt strongly about?

[howmanytimesnc]

Often I read threads where people have very die hard opinions on subjects and I always wonder if there is anybody that engages in a thread or reads it thinking one thing and then sees other opinions / points and change their minds? If you did, would you admit it?

Yes and yes.

I had a couple of those too. I just sometimes see so much back and forth between posters, I wonder if they ever just stop and think ‘actually, that was a good point’ or do they carry on just because they started!

Possibly. But usually on the more nuanced matters. Eg a friend (don’t know her that well) told me she was cancelling her holiday because her son who is autistic didn’t want to go. I didn’t say anything other than make sympathetic comments, but inwardly thought “ffs you need to get a grip and not be dominated by a teenager.”

Just now there is a thread by someone who’s had a terrible holiday with a similar sounding son. That made me reflect on what I’d been thinking.

But on the other hand there was a thread about Trump and melting hearts… I will never ever change my mind about that evil 🍊💩

I read threads about women and trans… and sometimes it’s interesting. But they are so polarized that it turns me off and I remain on my fence.

@Radiatorvalves thats interesting!
I agree about the feminism threads, both sides seem very extreme, although they have given me a more varied outlook on the matter

Yes I have. Can’t think of a specific right now.

Not quite the same but I’ve learned a lot too.

Yes. I'm one of the many who went through the Mumsnet radicalisation portal, though it took me more than one thread.

The great thing about out Mumsnet is the opportunity to hear perspectives from people with entirely different life experiences.

It has often made me reflect differently on a topic or sent me off to do further research.

It has also hardened my opinions though.

Yes, absolutely . I came on here thinking trans women were women. I started off being shocked by Posie Parker and others. And their unkind arguments. Now I subscribe to Sex Matters, and regularly garden for sex realists. Complete turn around in my views and understanding of women's rights. I'm also more assertive in my relationship

No.

I've also started using a toilet brush.

Hahaha
I’ve started washing my sheets every day (not!)

What’s the radicalisation portal?

Absolutely, I definitely have and I'm happy to admit it.

I say what I think, others challenge it, I mull it over or ask for clarification and I benefit from the perspectives, experiences and knowledge of others.

After all that I often change my mind or at the very least tweak my opinions to take account of the additional information.

A joke regarding an article someone wrote about all the silly mummies getting radicalised into knowing the difference between men and women on Mumsnet, instead of talking about descaling the dishwasher and prams like we're supposed to: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4218896-Well-thats-us-told?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Yes, definitely. An example would be surrogacy.

Not really, although it has given me a lot of enlightenment on issues I knew little about before.

I was shocked at how so many men evade paying child maintenance after a split, and the avoidance tactics they use - trying to get more access to the children purely to cut down their payments, for example. Or only taking cash payments from clients. Never knew that happened until I came here, and it seems depressingly common.

My eyes have been opened to how little support the parents of SEN children get, and how hard it is for them - also shocking.

I've learned a lot about certain feminist standpoints, although have not been fully captured by them.

@zaxxon yes, some threads really open up your eyes don’t they. I think it’s also very eye opening when current affairs get discussed and the threads get so full of opinions and arguments they spill on to part 2s and 3s

I've also learned to recognise that some people will nitpick and argue the toss till the cows come home just for the sake of it, and that it is likely they are doing it for shits and giggles rather than because they have a particularly strong opinion.

Yes and yes.
Sometimes there will be points of view or ideas I haven’t considered. I like to think about perspective s other than my own.
If the thread becomes insulting or nasty though, I scroll on.

Yes, I was in the 'oh, be kind' camp on gender discourse until I came across the I am Spartacus thread.

Yes and yes. One memorable time I actually tried to DM the poster (XXXsomething on feminism) but she didn’t allow DMs.

Absolutely this.

Not really, because if it's a hill I'm prepared to die on, I've usually read shed loads of things about it from umpteen types of source, especially looking for conflicting opinions and alternatively presented / interpreted data - plus the original data!

But I'm a data and intelligence analyst by trade so I tend to over-research when I get a bee in my bonnet.

In terms of what I've read that's made me reconsider - I can't think of specific examples.

I know I try to maintain an open mind but have been taken aback by some posters' utter inability to consider anything except their own perspective. Especially when they are doubling down on something I absolutely believe to be incorrect and can demonstrate why.

Maybe not change my mind but certainly reflect on my parenting

Yes. Quite often. Most recently the one about doctors not being able to find jobs.
Also MN made me gender critical!
A few years ago I was all about being kind.