Screw It, I'll Swim

Learn not to attack the person arguing and focus on the argument itself. Yelling, name calling, belittling, none of that will get you anywhere. Make your stand based on sound reasoning, and if possible, empirical evidence. Never resort to the "because I said so" fallacy. It's not just wrong, it's lazy and makes everything you believe questionable. Do not be afraid to try to see things from the other person's perspective, but keep your guard up if the other person resorts to "because I said so". Don't trust anecdotes, opinions, vested interests, etc. Put your faith in proven facts, not folklore. Demand irrefutable proof for fantastic claims. Remember, the weight is not on you to prove someone wrong, it's their responsibility to prove themselves right. Try not to become the sort of person who blindly accepts as truth the words spouted by people you think should be believed simply because they are in a position of authority. Also, try not to become the sort of person who blindly accepts as truth the words spouted by celebrities, academics, or even reporters. History books are full of the lies of idols, icons, and their supporters. Develop the ability to think critically. Check and double check any statistics being used to support an argument - there is a lot of truth to Twain's remark regarding lies, damn lies, and statistics. All that being said, don't be an idiot when it comes to heading warnings; if a sign says Danger, have the common sense to proceed with caution. There are times when it is necessary to recognize that others have gone before us all and learned invaluable truths. Those truths can be your rock and they can be your pillow, but try not to make them your crutch.