Any answers?

It's caused by a condition called "mental diarrhea" or "sh*t-for-brains". They can't help it, since they are also silence-phobic. It's an irritating disease, but seldom fatal, unfortunately.

I'm go to far the other way most of the time. I say what I think and sometimes in too few words.

I think that many people are so insecure with their beliefs, whateverthey may be, that they have to try to force others to believe what they do. It relly is sad that they cannot see both sides of any conversation.

Telling them anything does not help. I have seen that they resort to calling names..

what right do they have to judge others?

They do not know how to shut up. Even you tell them in not so few words.

My theory is that some people are insecure about their own beliefs and feel the more people they can convince to their point of view, the better they feel about their opinions.

They probably think "it's my way or the highway" only they block the road so the disagreers can 't get on the highway.

Good question Gautami!

There is a Spanish saying that many people should take to heart:
"Para gustos hay flores y para flores, colores" - Literal translation: For (varied) tastes there are many flowers and for the flowers there are many colors.............loosely translates that there are many different tastes and opinions and there should be room for all of them.

Gautami, please don't let this character flaw get to you, you only have to deal with this as much as you want to. You can always walk away and let them stew in their own words.

Guatami, I think there's two causes. Both are caused by closed mindedness but there's the one type who wants to be right for the sake of being right so no matter what you say, it falls on deaf ears. The other is afraid to see the truth so he/she stays fixated on it afraid to even consider an opposing point of view. I do like Ruth's explanation though ;-). I can't stand when it comes to name calling, though.

Hey! Stop making fun of me behind my back! You will do what I say, bighead.

OK. That was in case you were talking about me. Or maybe to make you laugh. Or maybe both.

Most of the narrowest minds on the internet love to call everyone else closed minded. Is this relevant? Call it irony, and laugh about it.

I'm always saying something controversial, and people always take offense to it. Especially since I change my mind often. People take offense to other people changing their minds. It's like other people are more invested in what you think/what you write/what you say than you are.

Blah. I'm rambling, and I don't even know if what I'm saying is even relevant because I feel like I missed something.

If nothing else, have some points!

Gautami, thanking for posting your question to ask carol. So here is official ask Carol answer.

The answers to that question is as probably as numerous as their are people in this world.

from a psychological prospective here are some of the reasons,

1 - Forgetfulness, not uncommon in older people to repeat over and over again, not because they want to drive home the point as much as they don't remember they already told you several times.

2- Arrogance - I am right you are wrong syndrome. Some people will argue the point so that they will always have the last word. Please refer to my article unsettling feelings to get an elaboration on this point.

3- Insecurity - For some people they feel if their point is rejected then they are in fact being rejected - again see the same article.

4- Some people like to argue even if they don't even believe what they are saying they just do it for fun or to be contrary.

5- Some people need to be heard, as long as they are writing somebody is reading.

6- Similar to being heard but a bit different, some people get very upset if they feel they are misunderstand, and will drive the point home just to make sure they feel you understood, this particular approach really is not meant to offend any one and these kind of people usually get their feelings hurt very easily if their words are not understood in the way they meant them. Many times comments will be fashioned in this way " Please don't think I am a bad person because I ....," or "don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of ...but...." or "Yes I already said that..." logically speaking and coming back to your point Gautami, if they already said that there is often no need to repeat it.

It is sad that so many people are so insecure that they want to convince people to go to their side of the argument...I've seen this many times on Gather.

If everyone agreed with us, who would we have to change our minds when we are wrong?

Yes Marsha, and they think if they go on and on about it they can convince the other person. I don't buy that at all.

Laurie, close minded people seldom listen to the other viewpoint. I simply switch them off out of my orbit.

Sonia, you are entirely right. We should have healthy arguments and disagreements but should not try to impose our opinions on others. THats what some people try to do

Cindy, you got a point there.

Sorry for talking behind your back!!

Seriously, I have found out that arguing is futile in some instances. So better to just walk away. If you don't argue, it frustrates that person further.

Carol, you have put it in a such a way that I have been thinking about it. Thanks for taking so much effort. I am glad I posted this to your group.

True Kathryn, I was so sickened that I had to block him out.

Sandra, That's what I do. Walk away and let them stew in their own juice!

Wicked me!

Thanks for each one of you for taking the time to read this and your wise inputs. I think my mind now feels better for it.

I am glad I am at gather where I made such great friends.

You said: I am glad I am at gather where I made such great friends.

Yes, indeed! The people who responded are indeed good people to call a friend. From what I have read from you, I would say that this holds true for you as well.