Is arguing pointless? Is anything of any value achieved as the result of engaging in an argument? Probably nine out of ten times the answer is no with the exceptions being when two intellectually honest people engage in a serious discussion where neither cares about winning the argument and would rather discover whatever might be true in the other person's point of view. However, most people care too much about winning to be able to set aside their pride and see something in a new way. Obviously it's not always the case that your opponent in an argument has anything worth arguing about and is only attempting to engage in social manipulation and that's a large part of why nine out of ten times arguing is a waste of time.