What Price Victory?

In part, I think it's my goal-oriented nature that leads me to burn out on debates pretty quickly. Opinion or supporting fact, most talking points can be hit upon in brief and if one side simply isn't going to be swayed, it's often apparent. I don't often find any value in espousing my point, no matter how much I may believe it, to someone who disagrees and shows no signs of changing opinion.

That's not true for everyone. Clearly.

I find myself wondering what it is in the perspective of someone who will argue a point fervently that drives them. Really, at the core of it, do they believe someone who disagrees can be swayed? Do they believe stepping away from a debate is admitting being wrong? Are they driven by a desire to not "lose?" Most of the time, there seems a much more emotional than rational undercurrent. It's certainly easier to get into an argument over something you feel.

And we're told it's good to fight for what's right, but that's usually more in terms of avoiding slavery and not killing people. Does that really apply to arguing over obscure movie detail or a legal issue that may be tricky enough to stump professional lawyers, much less us lay people on the internet? Is it worth the time? Is it worth the frustration? Is it worth losing connections? I guess it always is to someone somewhere...