Don't be shy -- the water's fine

[Charles Kozierok]

The Debate Club is off to a good start. It's still very early but we're on our way.

What we need now, really, is more threads. And especially, more of them not started by me.

I think some folks are reluctant to start new threads because they're concerned that the threads aren't "debate-clubby" enough. I just want to encourage you not to worry about that sort of thing.

Any topic that's worth discussing is fine. Just tell us your thoughts to get the ball rolling. You don't have to write a big essay.. just take a position and support it. Then others will respond, and if the subject is interesting enough, debate will occur naturally.

It's possible that some threads may not really fit here, and that's not the end of the world. They can be moved. Nobody's going to get infracted for innocent mistakes in a new forum.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

The Debate Club is off to a good start. It's still very early but we're on our way.

What we need now, really, is more threads. And especially, more of them not started by me.

I think some folks are reluctant to start new threads because they're concerned that the threads aren't "debate-clubby" enough. I just want to encourage you not to worry about that sort of thing.

Any topic that's worth discussing is fine. Just tell us your thoughts to get the ball rolling. You don't have to write a big essay.. just take a position and support it. Then others will respond, and if the subject is interesting enough, debate will occur naturally.

It's possible that some threads may not really fit here, and that's not the end of the world. They can be moved. Nobody's going to get infracted for innocent mistakes in a new forum.

Some perspectives might say that discussing politics ceases to be fun the moment you can't tell your opponent to go fuck himself. I listen to Rush Limbaugh and the moment a thoughtful liberal makes her way past the screener, Rush just hangs up. Maybe there's a group of folks that just can't stand the heat of thoughtful discourse?

:hmm:

I wish we had some staunch conservatives or libertarians to argue with; I believe their perspectives can be made in an intellectually persuasive way.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

It's definitely true that some people prefer a scuffle to a discussion. I don't mind getting in a scrap myself once in a while.

But the fighting gets dull quickly. It gets even more dull when it happens in every thread. And it is especially dull when you're dealing with someone who can't even follow the train of a discussion or make a valid logical point.

I'm not sure why you think there are no conservatives or libertarians here; there are, and there will be more as proceed. I consider myself a left-leaning libertarian and I assure you I will disagree with the liberals here many times in the future. What I don't think we'll have -- and I'm glad to do without -- are the far right-wingers who just respond to everything with a jerking knee and an insult. The same goes for the far lefties, but there seem to be fewer of them around for whatever reason.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

What I don't think we'll have -- and I'm glad to do without -- are the far right-wingers who just respond to everything with a jerking knee and an insult.

I guess I'm so used to seeing mud-covered yahoos that I don't recognize them after a shower and some clothing.

 

[Mixolydian]

i have to admit im a little scared to participate. :whiste:

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Well, I'm pretty libertarian myself (despite what you may have been told.)

I get into arguments with lefties all the time, and I assure you, it will happen here as well.

Mix - it's just a forum.

 

[gorcorps]

i have to admit im a little scared to participate. :whiste:

To be honest, I think this is part of it. One could argue that the sticky thread got a little rash in parts, and now we're all afraid to move. There's supposedly a three strike rule but that sticky thread showed me that all three strikes can be used on a first offense.

 

[yllus]

I'll start a number of threads soon; work has just been so busy that I've barely been reading the Web at all lately. Coming soon: Threads that question all that you hold near and dear!

 

[Charles Kozierok]

To be honest, I think this is part of it. One could argue that the sticky thread got a little rash in parts, and now we're all afraid to move. There's supposedly a three strike rule but that sticky thread showed me that all three strikes can be used on a first offense.

I understand your hesitation.

I went back and found the post you're referring to. It was just one of the moderators speculating about how he might like to see the place run long-term. There is no "three strikes" rule implemented here formally.

The comments in this thread have made clear to me that we have not done a good job of clearly laying out how this place is going to be moderated. I'm going to discuss this with Eaglekeeper and the other admins and we'll come up with a cohesive plan that is fair and makes sense.

In the meantime, I encourage people to participate reasonably and not worry about "strikes". This is an adjustment period and we aren't here to try to trick people into getting into trouble. Just follow the same standard of conduct you would use in a tech room and you'll be fine.

 

[Murloc]

The same goes for the far lefties, but there seem to be fewer of them around for whatever reason.

that's because this forum is like 99% americans or something, and from what I gather on the interwebs in the US the left has got few followers for cultural and historical reasons, if compared to European countries. And the far right is bigger because you also have christian fundamentalists which make it bigger.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I understand your hesitation.

I went back and found the post you're referring to. It was just one of the moderators speculating about how he might like to see the place run long-term. There is no "three strikes" rule implemented here formally.

The comments in this thread have made clear to me that we have not done a good job of clearly laying out how this place is going to be moderated. I'm going to discuss this with Eaglekeeper and the other admins and we'll come up with a cohesive plan that is fair and makes sense.

In the meantime, I encourage people to participate reasonably and not worry about "strikes". This is an adjustment period and we aren't here to try to trick people into getting into trouble. Just follow the same standard of conduct you would use in a tech room and you'll be fine.

guys/Gals

Everyone here knows the problems that exist within P&N by a few.

Keep those problems in mind and try to not replicate them.

Do not attack the poster, but the message and there should be no problems.
From my perspective, PLEASEtry to keep the language clean; otherwise; it starts to trigger thoughts of personal response. Any word that you need to use should be able to have a phrase that actually is applicable.

 

[Whiskey16]

I'll start a number of threads soon; work has just been so busy that I've barely been reading the Web at all lately. Coming soon: Threads that question all that you hold near and dear!

Seconded! Add a young family on top of work day loads....

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I'll start a number of threads soon; work has just been so busy that I've barely been reading the Web at all lately. Coming soon: Threads that question all that you hold near and dear!

Looking forward to it.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Nobody should feel obligated to post threads here. I understand that all of you have real lives. I just want to make sure that if you're not posting, it's not out of fear of being whacked by a mod.

 

[lotus503]

Yeah I just happen to be very busy until mid march, so my participation is limited.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

I've been kind of spectating for now to get a feel for the place. There haven't been any threads yet where I have a strong stance one way or another, which is good because it allows me to see what kind of discussions take place so I can prepare when something I do stand behind pops up. I think that the posts in the threads I've seen so far have been very mature and respectful which I like seeing. In the meantime, I'm just a lurker standing by.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

deleted to not cause a problem here

Have you considered that if you make good-logical points you won't be shot down; Further, if you can't make a good logical point in your own defense, maybe it's time to re-think your world view?

I was right wing christian conservative a few years ago; actually having to think through my positions has taught me that Marx as right about many things.

 

[skyking]

Since the guidelines post is locked, I'll post a pet peeve and request here:
Please define acronyms as you would in a paper, BEFORE you use them. As a pilot I can rattle off possibly a hundred different acronyms, but that would be rude. I consider it poor form to send somebody off to google something just to come back and make sense of your post.
That is all.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Just an update.. we have prepared a new, easier to understand document outlining expectations for this room, which includes greater clarity on how moderation will take place. It's awaiting admin approval and should go "live" soon.

In the meantime, I think things are going pretty well so far. Just a reminder that if you see something that you feel is inappropriate, rather than responding to it (and potentially escalating the problem), use the report button.

Also, don't get discouraged if you see the occasional post or thread that seems not to match the spirit of this place. This will always occur (unless we decided to hand-moderate every post, which ain't gonna happen!) We'll take care of it -- if you let us know about it.

 

[Zeze]

Can someone clarify what the difference is between PN & DC?

If I wanted to post a topic, when should I post it on PN over DC or vice versa?

Aside from DC's stricter moderation & behavior rules, I am failing to see what the innate differences are between the two.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Aside from DC's stricter moderation & behavior rules, I am failing to see what the innate differences are between the two.

That is the major difference, and was the primary motivation for setting up this new room.

If it's a reasonable topic for discussion, where you post it is your choice. You'll get different results in each room.

If it's something you know isn't appropriate for here, post it in P&N.

 

[Zeze]

That is the major difference, and was the primary motivation for setting up this new room.

If it's a reasonable topic for discussion, where you post it is your choice. You'll get different results in each room.

If it's something you know isn't appropriate for here, post it in P&N.

Thank you.

What is something that's not appropriate for here, but is for P&N?

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Thank you.

What is something that's not appropriate for here, but is for P&N?

If you have an inflammatory title or intend to be an asshole -> P&N.