Raising the level of Debate and Discussion

[Solon]

As I pointed out in my other thread, it is my personal belief that discord, dissenting opinion, and arguments over the issues are healthy for a board such as DU. I know passions can be inflamed, but I am not calling for peace, but rather, civility. I don't care who you are or precisely what the message or issue is, but cutting down a person for their beliefs, no matter how flawed they are to you point of view is not the way to carry on a discussion. The most you can accomplish is to inflame them more and bring the wrath of the moderators down on your head (let's hear it for the mods!). How do you attract people to your cause, with sugar or vinegar? Summarily dismissing someones point of view, due to past behavior, or because of who they are, is not constructive to DU. Much can be lost in translation from thought to text, so I usually think carefully before I type. A perfectly valid point of view can be seen, so easily, as arrogant or condensending, can be dismissed by others, out of hand. Another thing I notice, are wrongful assumptions about a person's motivations about why they bring a subject up, or of a specific position that they believe in. I also hate assumptions based on a person's viewpoint, or political affiliation. In-fighting is fine, as long as it is civil on a basic level of human decency. Who knows, maybe all of us can learn something constructive with the debates and arguments that are presented hear. I would think that being a liberal means having an open as well as critical mind. Do not summarily dismiss someones opinion as having no merit simply because you disagree. Instead, THINK it through, and create a reasonable rebuttal, or perhaps learn from it. That is one thing I love about DU is that there is little to no "parroting" of either the party line, or someone else's viewpoint simply for the sake of the status quo. The key is that nobody knows everything, so we all have something to learn from each other, if nothing else, it hones our debating skills. I am dismayed at the lack of civil discourse present on this board, but I will not hesistate to say it is the best discussion board out here, in the Wilds of the Internet. One thing that I thought of that I think would be interesting is a mock presidential campaign, using members of DU as the potential candidates, and finally culminating in a "live" moderated debate between the various candidates, with the rest of DU as spectators and potential voters in this "election". Just some thoughts.

[Solon]

1. I really need to work on my headlines...

Like maybe something more dramatic like "Goddamnit, look at this post People!!!!!" then again maybe not :)

[roughsatori]

2. Hey I actually read it and came back just to read

what others had to say. I like it, but to improve your reply count: 1)Shorter posts tend to get more replies. 2) Break you post into paragraphs it will make your text approachable and helps to render meaning.

But yes inflammatory titles will get the readers too.

[Solon]

3. I do tend to be long winded don't I.

But what the hell I'll try that next time. I swear I could probably write books on several subject if I had the time and inclination. Oh well.

[legin]

5. Don't particularily need to shorten it

they were all exellent points, just paragraphs.

[ErasureAcer]

4. yes, please use paragraphs

was going to post the same thing.

[Ein]

6. Solon, You rock

Well said. I agree, though sometimes I may not follow.

[Coffee Coyote]

7. you're absolutely right

But... take it from someone (and I am not the first) to have made a similar plea here in the past. GD is hopeless, and reasonable posts like yours, although valued by a few of us, will be lost in the maelstrom of hysteria, tinfoil paranoia, and unfounded assertions.

The general rule in here if you want to be heard is to post flamebait. If you don't mind 8 replies (which I like, because they are all usually well-informed and worthwhile), keep posting cogent, thoughtful pieces. They will sink fast though, and that does make it harder to keep track.

Good luck with your request!

[Isome]

8. Good idea...

great insights!

[Adjoran]

9. Just hit the "ENTER" key

every three or four sentences. It will make your post much easier to read.

On content, "A!"

Emotions have been running high, and I fear it won't be less as the real voting approaches.

[Iverson]

10. civility -9; green bashing - 104

I just checked. Best of luck.

[Cheswick2.0]

11. Welcome to DU civility police, good luck herding the Cats

Why are you coming to a board on which you are fairly new and give a lecture about civility? Why would you claim to want to raise the level of debate and proceed to tell everyone they should be different?

Is your open mind open to the fact that there really are some arguments which are without merrit?

Just throwing some ideas into the mix here.

[Q]

12. Some could use a 'lecture about civility'...

...and all of us could use a bit less of attacking the messenger instead of addressing the message.

[bearfartinthewoods]

13. this part.....

"Another thing I notice, are wrongful assumptions about a person's motivations about why they bring a subject up, or of a specific position that they believe in. I also hate assumptions based on a person's viewpoint, or political affiliation."


there is almost nothing i find more frustrating than the behavior you describe above. i find i spend fully half my time posting "where did i say that" because people take a statement and run it so far afield and attribute so many inuendos and inferences to it that they want me to defend.

i have come to the conclusion that such huge leaps are either the result of a psychological condition or a deliberate attempt to disrupt the thread since no sane person could leap to such conclusions.

[Pepperbelly]

15. OR ...

it could be the fault of insufficient exposure to formal argumentation and logic and they simply don't know any better. One of my favorite phrases is that some people, while supremely well educated, are actually fjord-minded or knowledge that is very deep and very narrow.

Just a thought.

[LWolf]

14. kick

:kick: