Debating

[Bruenin]

I know i'm not the only one who enjoys debating listening to different opinions and listening and questioning. It helps me understand my own opinions and helps me to understand other people and why they may react and such. It's really a great experience

Would you like to see more heavier debates around the escapist... not exactly controversial like recent topics, but some honest debate? It seems like things get a bit too heated a bit too fast on most of the threads for some really deep conversation. Usually it looks like most different opinions are completely rejected instead of civilly contested and thought about.

side note: Is there any groups on the escapist that focus on discussions like that?

 

[Hazy992]

Yeah healthy debates are a good thing. It helps you learn new things and helps you fully understand your own opinions.

Don't know about any user groups, but if there isn't it couldn't hurt to make one

 

[Vault101]

Probably some of the most interesting discussions and debates here happen in the Religion and Politics forum.
But you need to be really good at backing up your argument if you post there, otherwise they'll tear ya to pieces!

its funny because I always figured thats where the angry shitstroms would be...

 

[Hazy992]

its funny because I always figured thats where the angry shitstroms would be...

In my experience it usually is. Can be pretty funny sometimes though

 

[Bertylicious]

I dunno. A good debate needs a question to be answered and thus the participants attempt to answer that question by making arguments, criticsims and counter arguments but all with the objective of gaining/furthering knowledge rather than scoring points or "winning".

Trouble is, to do that you need people who respect each other and, ideally, some manner of structure. As respect is something you earn, it is hard to do so without forming a community of known peers (which I believe exists here after a fashion) and until you reach a point where you have garnered your own respect can you truly participate.

Also, as Topaz mentioned, debate is hard. You have to know what you're talking about rather than just blurting out random nonsense. I, for one, prefer to be one of the random monkeys mashing "chumbawumba" into the comments box for the most part.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Probably some of the most interesting discussions and debates here happen in the Religion and Politics forum.
But you need to be really good at backing up your argument if you post there, otherwise they'll tear ya to pieces!

its funny because I always figured thats where the angry shitstroms would be...

I ventured in there once, posted a well thought out opinion, this person started arguing with me... I'm not even sure what this person was arguing about, the things they were trying to say only seemed to be reinforcing my stance, not the other way around.

OT: I don't mind a good friendly debate every now and then, as long as that's all it is, a debate. If it starts derailing into something more, that's when I call it quits.

 

[Best of the 3]

The only debating I really handle is mass (ba-dum-tish)

But I guess a good debate can come from whatever area on the escapist you chose, depends on how interesting your topic is. Although I'd avoid the religion / political section. Sure you get a debate, but they usually turn into an all out war between a few people and their clashing opinions. Just post a well thought out and interesting debate on the off topic section. If people have their own views on the subject it will usually turn into a long winded debate.

 

[Xaio30]

I believe debates works supremely better verbally and face to face.
There is something about the internet that distorts that experience.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

I believe debates works supremely better verbally and face to face.
There is something about the internet that distorts that experience.

I think people read to much into it and feel like you're being to argumentative, when in reality, behind your computer screen you're actually very level headed, but the person debating with you can't see that.

 

[Flames66]

Don't know about any user groups, but if there isn't it couldn't hurt to make one

That sounds like a good idea to me. Someone make a debate group so I can have some good chats with people.

 

[Richardplex]

I believe debates works supremely better verbally and face to face.
There is something about the internet that distorts that experience.

I prefer online to be honest, you get longer to formulate your arguments and to source your arguments.

It's like chess; limitless time chess gives you the most strategic and intelligent game, but timed chess is generally seen as more fun/'thrilling' due to the pacing.

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

I once read a study which posited that debates were rarely about the actual subject of the debate, and more about the competition, like any one-on-one sport such as boxing or fencing. It was described as 'making a sport of the truth'.

I still enjoy listening to them when the debaters are particularly eloquent, but I never take them seriously.

 

[Vegosiux]

I once read a study which posited that debates were rarely about the actual subject of the debate, and more about the competition, like any one-on-one sport such as boxing or fencing. It was described as 'making a sport of the truth'.

And that is a perversion of debate, really. Sad. Arguments should be about progress, not about victory.

 

[Griffolion]

Probably some of the most interesting discussions and debates here happen in the Religion and Politics forum.
But you need to be really good at backing up your argument if you post there, otherwise they'll tear ya to pieces!

its funny because I always figured thats where the angry shitstroms would be...

It kind of is. But you get the occasional individual who can retain their sanity there.

 

[everythingbeeps]

I like having discussions and arguments. But I don't like having these conversations with people who think we're having a debate. I roll my eyes every time someone comes back with debate vocabulary like "strawman" and "ad hominem".

It's like, dude. I'm just talking here. I'm not going to be docked points if you call me out on a violation of Proper Debate Etiquette.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

As soon as I read the title, I knew who the OP was, lol.

 

[Bruenin]

Don't know about any user groups, but if there isn't it couldn't hurt to make one

That sounds like a good idea to me. Someone make a debate group so I can have some good chats with people.

I found this

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Debate-Room-for-Gentleman-and-Gentlewoman

As soon as I read the title, I knew who the OP was, lol.

heh, i'll have to create a completely unexpected thread next time!

 

[Scarim Coral]

Not really.
By all means I'm not against it. I'm fine when there is a debate going on but my lack of spelling, grammer and punctuation offern lead me to not using the right vocabulary so getting my meaning across usually isn't effective the way I want to say.

 

[Yosato]

It's weird, my friends call me 'argumentative', whereas people I meet at university say I enjoy 'debates'. It's always good to have them, whatever you want to call them, but I don't think there's anything wrong with having one. I don't start arguments for no reason, but if someone says something I disagree with then I'll sure as hell put my point across. Just the other day I had one with this guy about the British National Party. That lasted a while. . .

 

[DanielBrown]

I like debating, but in my experience it's rather rare to find someone worth debating with on the internet. Quickly turns into name calling and platitudes, which is why I often stay away from touchy subjects online.