Also ultimately I don't care in those cases if they up vote. The discussion could have value to me if it was civil. It shapes future debates for me. It gives me things to think about and ponder. Yes, I think for myself. I don't treat their ideas I disagree with as koolaid I have to drink because I bothered to listen to them. My mind is quite good at thinking for itself, sometimes too much so... "where did that thought come from?!?" I also try to get better at critical thinking by occasionally drilling myself on flashcards, reading up on critical thinking to get better etc. So I am increasingly getting better at identifying appeals to authority, tradition, popularity, etc. As well as red herrings, ad hominems, and other diversionary tactics. I'm far from perfect at them and never will be, but I get better with practice. :)
Those type of people give me someone to practice upon. :)
Great. I agree 100%. But I also want to follow and enjoy posts like this. :) Just post them in "communism" or "antifa" and we can have a hell of a lot fun!