If you could talk to a rioter.

Stevicus · Jan 13, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
If you could talk to one (or even a large crowd) of the seditionist rioters who rampaged their way into the US Capital Building last week on Wednesday the 6th, now, one week later.....

What would you tell them?
What would you ask them?
How might you advise them for the future, both near and far?

I suppose I might advise them to turn themselves in. Maybe it might go better for them if they voluntarily give themselves up rather than wait for the police to find them.

I might ask them what their intentions were, if they were planning on a peaceful protest which somehow turned bad. Or if they were planning to storm the Capitol all along.

Revoltingest · Jan 13, 2021

Wandering Monk said:
There is nothing they would hear. Waste of time.

You'd be surprised.
I love conversing with people who have opposing views.
Common ground can be found....not always.
But sometimes is enuf reward for me.

Mr Spinkles · Jan 13, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
If you could talk to one (or even a large crowd) of the seditionist rioters who rampaged their way into the US Capital Building last week on Wednesday the 6th, now, one week later.....

What would you tell them?
What would you ask them?
How might you advise them for the future, both near and far?

A family member of mine who I am very close to was at the DC rally. Not at the riot, but at the rally.

We cannot talk about politics. They are just too far gone and simply will not listen to reason. We used to occasionally discuss politics but over the years they have become fanatical. We all avoid the topic.

I’m not talking about normal disagreement. I have plenty of friends and family who are conservative or Republicans. This is different. This is disagreement about the most basic facts of reality, and a level of emotional investment that makes it impossible to discuss without it getting tense - sort of like a fanatical religion.

What would I say if I could talk to the rioters? I wouldn’t talk to them. I would report them to police because they broke the law.

Mr Spinkles · Jan 13, 2021

tytlyf said:
Does this make sense from a propaganda perspective and why emotions are targeted when trying to manipulate people?

1. Panic Mongering. This goes one step beyond simple fear mongering. With panic mongering, there is never a break from the fear. The idea is to terrify and terrorize the audience during every waking moment. From Muslims to swine flu to recession to homosexuals to immigrants to the rapture itself, the belief over at Fox seems to be that if your fight-or-flight reflexes aren’t activated, you aren’t alive. This of course raises the question: why terrorize your own audience? Because it is the fastest way to bypass the rational brain. In other words, when people are afraid, they don’t think rationally. And when they can’t think rationally, they’ll believe anything.

Very effective and a top choice for Far-Right Newsmakers

Great quote. I feel like I’ve heard it before. Do you happen to have the link / source?

Jainarayan · Jan 13, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
What would you tell them?

Not smart. You deserve whatever you get.

What would you ask them?

Oh, he "incited" you, encouraged you? If he told you to set yourself on fire would you?

How might you advise them for the future, both near and far?

Learn to think for yourself and take responsibility, not blame someone else for your stupidity. Oh yeah, and grow the **** up.

fantome profane · Jan 13, 2021

I would like to ask how they feel now that their dear leader has thrown them under the bus.

And then I would as them what crime they are going to commit next. Because these guys might just answer.

Jainarayan · Jan 13, 2021

fantome profane said:
I would like to ask how they feel now that their dear leader has thrown them under the bus.

Why were they in front of the bus?

Daemon Sophic · Jan 13, 2021

fantome profane said:
.......

And then I would as them what crime they are going to commit next. Because these guys might just answer.

That is both a good question, and a good point.

Earthtank · Jan 13, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
What would you tell them?

While I have not spoken to a rioter i did speak to someone who wishes he was there, so does that count?

Anyway, honestly, its a waste of time, there's literally not a single thing on earth that a sane person can tell them to change their minds. This person i spoke, he and I are relatively close, i have consistently shown him hard evidence of Trump's baseless claims and lies over the last 4 years and this dude is like a magician, they always find a way to blame someone else or the other party. It literally makes no difference. It reminds me 100% of speaking to BLM supports and other super lefties, it does NOT matter what you say to the super lefties, whether you show them undeniable evidence or not, they will NOT ever change their mind. So in short, after my experience with both sides, I would not even waste my time anymore because the people that are actually willing to listen are not out doing with the crazy left and right do.

Twilight Hue · Jan 14, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
If you could talk to one (or even a large crowd) of the seditionist rioters who rampaged their way into the US Capital Building last week on Wednesday the 6th, now, one week later.....

What would you tell them?
What would you ask them?
How might you advise them for the future, both near and far?

SomeRandom · Jan 14, 2021

Revoltingest said:
You'd be surprised.
I love conversing with people who have opposing views.
Common ground can be found....not always.
But sometimes is enuf reward for me.

I’m not so sure anymore.
I’ve had many a heated debate over politics with friends and family. In fact one of my uncles directly encourages it. Claims it was to help me practice articulating my opinions. I think it just amused him, but whatever.
It’s all just sport at the end of the day. We disagreed and then poured ourselves another drink. I mean that’s just part of life, isn’t it?

But there are certain differences seemingly too insurmountable even for healthy sparring. And I don’t necessarily blame the person either. I was once convinced of really stupid things. I think ultimately my ego prevented me from critically examining my position on the topic. Then I found myself in a better headspace after taking care of myself. So I smashed my idiot head against the wall and admitted to myself how dumb I was. (And still am.) But no amount of logical coherent discussion helped me get to that point. I made the change.

Revoltingest · Jan 14, 2021

SomeRandom said:
I’m not so sure anymore.
I’ve had many a heated debate over politics with friends and family. In fact one of my uncles directly encourages it. Claims it was to help me practice articulating my opinions. I think it just amused him, but whatever.
It’s all just sport at the end of the day. We disagreed and then poured ourselves another drink. I mean that’s just part of life, isn’t it?

But there are certain differences seemingly too insurmountable even for healthy sparring. And I don’t necessarily blame the person either. I was once convinced of really stupid things. I think ultimately my ego prevented me from critically examining my position on the topic. Then I found myself in a better headspace after taking care of myself. So I smashed my idiot head against the wall and admitted to myself how dumb I was. (And still am.) But no amount of logical coherent discussion helped me get to that point. I made the change.

Heated debate is pretty useless in my experience.
Things must be civil & friendly. People are more
open during that.

SomeRandom · Jan 14, 2021

Revoltingest said:
Heated debate is pretty useless in my experience.
Things must be civil & friendly. People are more
open during that.

Sorry, may be a bit of a language barrier. I don’t mean heated in the sense that it’s a shouting match. Just two sides being spirited about their positions. Was always civil. Or what Aussies consider civil anyway.
Helped me understand opposing sides a lot better in the long run. Although our emotions were usually also fuelled by alcohol :shrug:

Revoltingest · Jan 14, 2021

SomeRandom said:
Sorry, may be a bit of a language barrier. I don’t mean heated in the sense that it’s a shouting match. Just two sides being spirited about their positions. Was always civil. Or what Aussies consider civil anyway.
Helped me understand opposing sides a lot better in the long run. Although our emotions were usually also fuelled by alcohol

I wasn't thinking of a shouting match. "Heated" suggests
fervor in defense of a position. "Debate" means taking a
side to defend, & another to attack. It seems all about
making one side wrong, & the other right. This doesn't
encourage finding common ground.

Erebus · Jan 14, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
What would you tell them?

Wow! I love your outfit. It really brings out the patriotism.

What would you ask them?

Do you mind if I take a picture?

How might you advise them for the future, both near and far?

It'd be a good idea to give me your name. That way I can give your details to the pol... I mean, add you as a friend on Facebook.

SomeRandom · Jan 14, 2021

Revoltingest said:
I wasn't thinking of a shouting match. "Heated" suggests
fervor in defense of a position. "Debate" means taking a
side to defend, & another to attack. It seems all about
making one side wrong, & the other right. This doesn't
encourage finding common ground.

Ehh, I disagree. Sure, we never fully agreed at the end. But in amongst the chaos there was always at least a statement or two that made someone take a step back. Like a eureka moment. My uncle would explain his reasoning behind something and then I’d understand why he came to the conclusions he has. The opposite is true. It’d be boring if we came away agreeing. But we always went away with mutual respect. And it was just a laugh. It wasn’t like an argument. I think spirited debate is healthy, as long as you don’t end up seeing your “opponent” as the enemy.

Revoltingest · Jan 14, 2021

SomeRandom said:
Ehh, I disagree. Sure, we never fully agreed at the end. But in amongst the chaos there was always at least a statement or two that made someone take a step back. Like a eureka moment. My uncle would explain his reasoning behind something and then I’d understand why he came to the conclusions he has. The opposite is true. It’d be boring if we came away agreeing. But we always went away with mutual respect. And it was just a laugh. It wasn’t like an argument. I think spirited debate is healthy, as long as you don’t end up seeing your “opponent” as the enemy.

Sounds like you found some civil discussion....not all heated debate.
You made progress. That is success.

SomeRandom · Jan 14, 2021

Revoltingest said:
Sounds like you found some civil discussion....not all heated debate.
You made progress. That is success.

Oh, well to me it was a heated debate. :shrug:

Maybe we’re just too laid back for what Americastans call “debate.”
A debate to me would be fervent disagreement and impassioned arguments on both sides. But to resort to attacking the opposing side would be in very poor taste. That’s when you lose, imo

Revoltingest · Jan 14, 2021

SomeRandom said:
Oh, well to me it was a heated debate. Maybe we’re just too laid back for what Americastans call “debate.”
A debate to me would be fervent disagreement and impassioned arguments on both sides. But to resort to attacking the opposing side would be in very poor taste. That’s when you lose, imo

It sounds like the upshot of this is that
talking to rioters would be useful.

9-10ths_Penguin · Jan 14, 2021

Daemon Sophic said:
If you could talk to one (or even a large crowd) of the seditionist rioters who rampaged their way into the US Capital Building last week on Wednesday the 6th, now, one week later.....

What would you tell them?
What would you ask them?

I know you don't believe it.

I know you're playing along with what seems like a convenient narrative, but I know that you know that it's actually false.

I know that this is why you're surprised at people calling you "traitor" and "terrorist": in your mind, there was a clear distinction between treason cosplay - i.e. what you thought you were doing - and actual treason. You thought that everyone else was in on the joke; they weren't.

How might you advise them for the future, both near and far?

Get a lawyer on retainer. When the FBI picks you up, they'll probably confiscate your phone, so memorize your lawyer's number.

If you could talk to a rioter.

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