Poll: Alternative viewpoints and ribbing from others

[Cliff_m85]

I was having a small discussion with a friend today that I met on Escapist which turned to very serious conversations as well as the obvious potential of ribbing from people who may join in on the conversation.

For instance, any hot button topic. Religion, Politics, Pizza Toppings, How COD Black Ops actually does brainwash you in real life, or Abortion will have three groups come into the thread. The Pro, the Cons, and those who don't really take it seriously.

My friend found that he doesn't like to participate in such threads because "those who don't really take it seriously" tend to make the thread go off topic. I entirely disagree. I think reading response after response of two opposing views can get quite dry after awhile and needs a little humor or controversy to spice up the discussion.

So, Escapist members and friends, what do you think? Should those who don't really have a 100% serious demeanor stay away from such threads, add their opinions/ideas to such threads, or get utterly banned/probation after a nonserious answer?

 

[El Poncho]

I don't mind both, as long as there is some discussion about the topic going on.

 

[Brandon237]

Add lulz and controversy, but they should NOT EVER take it too far, one or two lightening comments, then stop. Then probation is necessary. Or warning at least.

 

[MR T3D]

just because someone has a 'lighter' point of view DOES NOT mean that they have 'less right' to post.
just quote/reply to the serious ones, and if no-one takes something seriously, look again at what that is.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I am the fattest piggy bank in the world but I will not break for you.

Wait? What were we talking about?

 

[Torrasque]

I like to add lulz to my viewpoints because it gets very tedious to keep reading the same arguments over and over, because few people read through a thread before posting. At least a joke is usually original, but a good majority of serious arguments are not.

I like re-posting someone's post and replacing a few words here and there to completely change the opinion of the post.
I only do this when the person's post/opinion is completely retarded, so they can see what their opinion would be like if it wasn't retarded.

A good poster will be able to argue pros, cons, and add lulz all at the same time.
While adding lulz to a topic about rape is like dancing in front of a moderator wearing a shirt with the troll face on it, yelling "WHAT DOES THE SCOUTER SAY ABOUT HIS POWER LEVEL!?!?!?!?", it is sometimes necessary to add a bit of humor to topics so people can remember these are online forums, not a legal battle in the supreme court.

Besides that, I can't help but make fun of people who post ridiculous opinions, or phrase them in completely retarded ways.

 

[FalloutJack]

I actually don't have a set motif for serious-sounding topics. It depends on the situations.

 

[SaturdayS]

I find that often the most intelligent opinions are laced in humour. Which is why I suck at comedy.

 

[Naheal]

Satire does have a point. That said, there's a time and a place. There's one board in particular where that shit shouldn't go, but, beyond that, it has a purpose to serve.