grannywils Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I have heard it bandied about that the debates forum format might possibly be disbanded due to our (that would be all of us naughty Nexians) apparent misuse of same. I am not entirely sure what the misuse entails, but I have some thoughts I would like to put down before we are disbanded. I think that drugs, alcohol and guns can all potentially kill or at least harm people. However none of these offending items can do this of their own volition. I also believe that we, as human beings must take responsibility for our own behaviour and look at the potential for a downside to what we might initially think of as either fun or recreation or retribution or whatever. Then there is the political differences issue. In a group this size we will never agree on everything. In fact, if we agree on anything it will be a miracle. That is just fine. That is why we have a debates forum, right? So, debate. Disagree. Discuss. Enjoy. Having said that, I believe that we as human beings have no business pontificating and judging one another's behaviour constantly as though we individually have the "word from on high". We certainly have a right to an opinion. But I have seen all to often in these threads some opinions expressed as facts. Or I have seen people judging others for their differing opinions. I see anger expressed over disagreements that I believe were initially intended to encourage a friendly discourse. The Administrators can and will do as they see fit. But we as intelligent members of this society have a role in this too. We are all worthy of respect. We all have a right to be heard. I, for one, actually enjoy reading the threads of those with whom I disagree. I admit that sometimes I jump up and down and tear at my (minimal) hair. But I do that in private, and then I respond respectfully. Not so hard to do really.... As I said, just some thoughts to ponder. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisnpuppy Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 If everyone would stop taking and making things personal it would be helpful. Also, none of this is a "if the fate of the world depended on it" so putting things in absolutes never goes well. There are always exceptions. Just chill out people and view it as a completion to gather the most facts and make the most compelling argument...not to state your case like a hurt 10 year old or a demi-god. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannywils Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 If everyone would stop taking and making things personal it would be helpful. Also, none of this is a "if the fate of the world depended on it" so putting things in absolutes never goes well. There are always exceptions. Just chill out people and view it as a completion to gather the most facts and make the most compelling argument...not to state your case like a hurt 10 year old or a demi-god. :) You are so cool Lisnpuppy. And I just found out that you make mods too. I'm going to check them out for my game! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisnpuppy Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 heh...thanks Granny. They are old mods....very old. Not the best you understand, but I did try. May try again sometime too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyfizz Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Well you only have to look at us, by which I mean Grannywils, Lisnpuppy and myself. We can disagree quite passionately, and I'd say we are poles apart politically, but actually we are friends and we respect one anothers' opinion. All of what is said in the OP is spot on. I do hope that all shades of opinion will continue to be heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vindekarr Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) Well as far as I'm concerned debates really SHOULD be shut down. The reason is that it's completely disfunctional. The most basic idea of a debate is to present an idea to a group of people, and then discuss that idea's merits and failings, increasing your knowledge and greatly improving upon your original presented concept. That doesnt happen here anymore, why? people. The thing that's wrong with the debates section is that a lot of people here seem to act like young children, squabbling and shouting and carrying on, and then crying and throwing tantrums when proved wrong. Frankly it's laughable how immature grown adults can act here, and on many other websites. Or they have an agenda and will push that, and stuff anyone who disagrees, to the point of hijacking other discussions just to rant about what they see as important. Debates doesnt work-that much is obvious, and we only have ourselves to blame. I find Ginny's post genuinely ironic. Since for starters all shades of opinion are not heard, usualy the opinion being heard is the one who's shrill shouts of abuse are the loudest, and for respect, what respect? how about people show a little respect for the website and it's users. Because this has gone on long enough, agro little girls with more opinion than logic or sense, let alone tact shouting at eachother so that they feel smart isnt a debate it's a school yard she-dog fest and frankly I think that the Mods should shut this place down right now. Edited January 18, 2011 by Vindekarr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanumoreira Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Well as far as I'm concerned debates really SHOULD be shut down. The reason is that it's completely disfunctional. The most basic idea of a debate is to present an idea to a group of people, and then discuss that idea's merits and failings, increasing your knowledge and greatly improving upon your original presented concept. That doesnt happen here anymore, why? people. The thing that's wrong with the debates section is that a lot of people here seem to act like young children, squabbling and shouting and carrying on, and then crying and throwing tantrums when proved wrong. Frankly it's laughable how immature grown adults can act here, and on many other websites. Or they have an agenda and will push that, and stuff anyone who disagrees, to the point of hijacking other discussions just to rant about what they see as important. Debates doesnt work-that much is obvious, and we only have ourselves to blame. I find Ginny's post genuinely ironic. Since for starters all shades of opinion are not heard, usualy the opinion being heard is the one who's shrill shouts of abuse are the loudest, and for respect, what respect? how about people show a little respect for the website and it's users. Because this has gone on long enough, agro little girls with more opinion than logic or sense, let alone tact shouting at eachother so that they feel smart isnt a debate it's a school yard she-dog fest and frankly I think that the Mods should shut this place down right now. How can you say that Vin? Debates brings out some of the most creative intellects within the human brain, and compels us to think critically about the world we live in. Sure, it can bring out the worst of human nature too, but everyone here knows the rules, and everyone here must follow the rules. Sounds like a loophole to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vindekarr Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) HOW CAN I SAY THAT?! HOW CAN I NOT! This forum section is a mess. Debating, certainly, is great in principle and it would be just dandy if people could be secure enough to let others speak, but 90% of the time now, here, people just use them as an excuse for a screaming and entirely personal arguement. But such "your post is incorrect because it's you saying it" arguements are becoming less common because some have simply taken to thread hijacking. Take the thread about the floods in Australia for example, good debate thread eh? well a bunch of seeming preschoolers took it over and used it as a venue for an entirely unrelated shouting match, then changed topic to have a screaming arguement about whether one of them had done the right thing in the first place. This is not debating, it's grown adults acting like schoolgirls. Edited January 18, 2011 by Vindekarr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVampireDante Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Locking this before someone does, or posts something they'll regret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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