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What are your personal rules on arguing via the internet?

M

Minjin

Platinum Member
The question is:

What is your personal strategy or personal ruleset that you apply when arguing or debating on the internet?

Why argue and debate in the first place? There will be some (perhaps many) that will say it is pointless to debate at all on the internet. The are plenty of memes and pictures to go around concerning this. So, why? I think it is a very useful way to 1) fact check your ideas, 2) help understand what other people think and how they arrived at those thoughts, and 3) maybe persuade them to your side. I think it is also part of the Internet's social contract that if you take information, you should give information.

However, I've decided over the years that it is too difficult to convey the necessary information and that the results are on general too meaningless to warrant putting much effort into it anymore. I will gladly debate anyone about any topic in person for as long as they want. I prefer this not because the people themselves are more "real" or important but because the communication is so much more effective and I can actually see the end result.

So, my internal rule (that gets broken occasionally) is to limit myself to 2 responses on a topic. If I can't get my point across or they are not willing or able to understand my point in those few responses, I'm done. I won't do post after post of discussion that seemingly goes nowhere like I see some people do. Almost invariably, those long discussions become painful for me though I'm sure some people actually enjoy it.

What do you do?

I'm sure I'll get responses like "I don't argue with anyone because you're all just a bunch of electrons on my screen, who cares?" or "My only rule is to not argue with Neckbeard for any length of time." Above and beyond those two, what say you?

edit:
Relevant article on how people are unwilling to debate anymore, even in "real life"
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/23/b...ate-dissent-discussion-oh-don-t-go-there.html

edit2:
Typical argument that usually starts with bombastic statements
http://gizmodo.com/#!5783825/the-tr...o-space-knowing-he-would-die?comment=37782957
 
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my rules for real life arguing is to state the facts and then let the person decide. if they are reasonable or show they may change their mind then i will continue or be open to changing my mind. if they are obviously not going to do so, i try to bow out asap. if it's with your girlfriend or s/o, then you are there for a while.

on the internet, i remember that my time is worth a lot, so i will simply not read argument threads. in some rare exceptions, there will be some good information in argument threads, but i'll quickly skim them for what i need, and then close the thread, hopefully with the aid of a search/google type of tool.

note: this response would have been drastically different if i was under 20.
 
there is a line between discussion between two mature adults and arguing. when someone chooses to attack your character, call you names, forgo common decency and courtesy then they are not worth your time.
 
moshquerade said:
there is a line between discussion between two mature adults and arguing. when someone chooses to attack your character, call you names, forgo common decency and courtesy then they are not worth your time.
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Sounds like almost every thread in the social forums. Especially P&N and L&R.
 
I try not to read what the other guy has typed out, just like the OP's long ass post. I just skim and read the headline then drop bombs and run. Leave just enough to instigate fights between other forum members. That's my policy!
 
Saint Nick said:
Sounds like almost every thread in the social forums. Especially P&N and L&R.
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Not OT so much? I post/read here for the information, the humor, and the varying opinions that sometimes get you to see the other side of the coin. Everything else is unhappy people using this as a place to vent.
 
Nintendesert said:
I try not to read what the other guy has typed out, just like the OP's long ass post. I just skim and read the headline then drop bombs and run. Leave just enough to instigate fights between other forum members. That's my policy!
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I usually read just the opening sentence, and the last sentence.

Most people can not get to the point and like to drag on about useless garbage. Right before they finish their post, its like the point of the whole post was left out. So they will say something like "I guess my point is,,,,,,"
 
The article sums it up nicely:

Jeff Nunokawa said:
''It's become synonymous with some of the most nonintellectual forms of bullying, rather than as an opportunity for deliberative democracy.''
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This is how I generally feel (I'm Gen X) about anything even semi-serious, except with people I know closely.

The internet's loudest arguers have opinions that are either set in stone or will be defended like they are. Whether it's ATOT's 'All cops are corrupt, power-drunk simpletons' crowd, or anyone talking on the hottest religious right topics.
 
After 2 attempts in the discussion of facts with a village idiot; I quit before they can beat me down by experience
 
I do so because I enjoy the conversation and, if I'm lucky, I learn a little about people I'd otherwise not met. I try to:

-Treat others with respect so I don't need to be ashamed of myself.
-Never post in anger; read what I type twice and condense if possible.
-Remain open to new ideas presented to me.
-Understand that I can be as wrong as the next guy and not every issue is black and white.
-Have fun.
 
Paladin3 said:
I do so because I enjoy the conversation and, if I'm lucky, I learn a little about people I'd otherwise not met. I try to:

-Treat others with respect so I don't need to be ashamed of myself.
-Never post in anger; read what I type twice and condense if possible.
-Remain open to new ideas presented to me.
-Understand that I can be as wrong as the next guy and not every issue is black and white.
-Have fun.
Click to expand...
you're hired! 😀
 
I don't argue, I make points. Most people are too stupid to use critical thinking skills so arguing is pointless.
 
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