Do you think it is pointless to argue with someone through a website?

part of me does, part of me doesn't.
sometimes, i used to do it A LOT. you can still find me doing it occasionally, but even then i'll give up after a while because i realize how ridiculous it is.

Sometimes it's frustrating because of the anonymity, people feel like it's ok to use name calling, make baseless accusations, etc. so that they can "win".

There are a few people I've tangled with on AB. I offer a comment or post an answer that's in disagreement with someone and they, I won't name names, go nuts with all sorts of slurs on my character. It's amazing to me how fast it devolves to that, when I didn't use any sort of personal attack; I just state what I've learned.

Arguing is point less by any means.....but i still do,cant help it....

I feel like a fool when I do it because I realize I have let myself be drawn into something ludicrous, but if I am at fault, I will apologize. I have made some very good friends on here after having knock down drag outs over a question or comment. I try to avoid that, but it happens. I have learned a lot about myself and human nature from this website, that's for sure.

To discuss and debate may educate, to insult another is worse than useless.

After a certain point, it is.

Once they start being personally attacking, I'm usually done.

I've had them respond to my statement that I'm moving on due to their personal attacks by calling me "too sensitive".

What they don't seem to understand is that it isn't what they are saying about me that I find objectionable.

Rather it is what their name calling says about *them* ,who they are, and the futility of reasoning with them.

There are better things to waste my time on.

I find it fruitless and sometimes harmful.
Hiding behind a keyboard many will type what they would not likely say face to face.
I go as far as to express my view and if asked to clarify
my position.
Being courteous is a noble trait.

I don't like your tone.

To argue, yes, but to debate, showing each other equal respect, that does several things but it keeps you learning and sometimes you learn that there's more than what you originally thought there was to something...does that make any sense? As of yet, my mind hasn't been changed but it's been provoked to learn more about what I was debating about.

Throwing Anonymous Internet Heat sure is fun :) ... but totally pointless ... all you gotta do is click the X in the corner box and you win

Yes, too premeditated.

No some times, just maybe you can get your point across and make someone see things differently.

When comments start getting repeated on the web or anywhere in life, I try to bow out. Not worth it. +4

no..........

Not entirely. I find it entertaining to an extent. Although at some point the safety blanket really comes into play and it gets boring.

Yes, completely.
But I still do sometimes.
Can't help but be completely vile and vulgar in particular moments especially when I know it will truly bother someone.
That's only if they really piss me off though.

I think it's pointless to argue with someone through any means.

Yes it is. Often one person will be so stuck in their ways, that it will be like arguing with a brick wall, especially since you cant see them; its always fun when they get so frustrated that the resort to ad hominem attacks... actually its probably better for me, because on some issues, id gladly punch the person im arguing with...

Argue in the sense of trading insults, being nasty and having a totally closed mind to other people's points of view? Pointless. A healthy debate with people who are respectful, keep an open mind and are willing to learn from one another? There I see a definite point;)

No, I have always loved to argue.

I will say no why does it have to be bad? Just cues you argue does not mean it has to be bad. I am not saying is the best thing to do but it does make my list.