Reply #18: People come to a message board and get into fights because they like to do so.

[TexasObserver]

The topic really doesn't matter. Many of the long, drawn out arguments here are driven by people who think their opinion about every topic is religiously correct, to the exclusion of all others.

Some come here to discuss topics that matter, but the most contentious interchanges are driven mainly by obsessive compulsive people who simply cannot disengage after four or five exchanges with the same person.

Guns, pirates, smoking, 16 year olds eaten by a tiger - the topic doesn't matter when dealing with a person who cannot discuss topics rationally. I liken it to discussing anything with an alcoholic while they're drunk. It's a complete waste of time, so why do it? If I think someone is emotionally unwell and incapable of discoursing sanely, I put them on ignore and forget them.