So, Why do we all hang out at the EVC?

Well, simply put, I "hang out" at EvC (which, in my case, involves about 98% lurking ) because it is arguably the best forum of its kind on the internet.I enjoy the thought-provoking discussions on EvC, and manage to learn something new nearly every time I visit. Not to mention the fact that there are some genuinely brilliant minds here. I frequently shake my head in disbelief, just trying to figure out how some of you people have had enough time, in a single life, to amass the educations you appear to have.Of course, the fact that several regular posters are actually practicing experts in their fields is one of the things that help to maintain this high quality, I think. Published material is all well and good, but things move forward quickly in science and, as a layman, you can never be sure how current your reading material is. So having a forum like this, with up-to-the-minute contributions (so to speak) by some of the very people at the forefront of such research, is quite handy, to say the least.To your specific questions... Depends what you mean. If by "side" you mean the whole side, then no, I doubt it. But if you mean individuals of a side, then yes, it happens all the time; usually behind the scenes, though.People will concede minor points, but I would imagine that it's pretty rare, in a public discussion/debate on any topic, for anyone to flat-out, openly admit that their opponent has convinced them that the side they were defending is wrong. It's not at all uncommon for people to admit that they were wrong about views they used to hold, but it doesn't seem to happen very often with regard to a point they're actually debating. That is, it seems quite rare for someone to argue a position, have it clearly demonstrated to be wrong, and actually concede that fact.My point, though, is that just because it's rare for someone to publicly admit to being wrong doesn't mean that they don't change their mind. EvC has played a part in my own changes of position on a few issues over the years. Well, in a manner of speaking, I suppose I do get a "kick" (of sorts) out of it.Actually, one of the things that gives me a kick is talking to people who are highly educated (and, in some cases, working) in the fields that I find most fascinating. There isn't really anyone in my day-to-day life that I can talk to about this stuff. Most people just look at me funny. Yes, indeed! Of course, in my case, simply gleaning what I can from the resident experts is usually challenge enough. Education. Nope, that's not for me. I'm friendly. Heh... so would I. Please tell us, Brad.