I Like to Debate
I am an incredibly curious person. I am curious about almost everything. I am also am very opinionated. So one of the ways I like to learn, as well as sharpen my own thoughts, and keep my intellect sharp is through a good debate/discussion/conversation. However, I strongly believe in some ground rules that I would like to outline here.
A good debate is logical and factual. Ofcourse not all things can be debated with facts, but that is no excuse to drop logic. A good debate also will be respectful to others and honest. The goal is neither to be offensive or to take offense. Yes, you can take offense there are always two people involved and sometimes someone is offended without good reason.
[b]So let me make a neat list in no particular order:[/b]
1. [u]Don't stoop to name calling[/u] ever, it is not productive, and I don't just mean the other debaters but [b]anybody referred to in the debate[/b] too.
2. Try to keep to the [u]facts[/u], and when there are none be logical and explain your thinking.
3. It is okay to play the devil's advocate and look at hard issues from the other side.
4. [b]Don't be offended, don't offend[/b], explain and suggest.
5. Have an [u]open mind[/u].
6. Someone's ethnicity or heritage/nationality does not have an effect on determining the validity of their thought, their intelligence, or the correctness of their idea.
7. Try to use [u]fairly good grammar/spelling[/u] and an organization that collects ideas and makes it easier to read. I don't want to be a grammar natzi but if it is really bad it takes away from the argument.
With these things in mind I hope to enjoy many more discussions/debate/conversations with you all. I hope to learn lots, look at things from all kinds of perspectives, and perhaps share an interesting idea or two.
I would like to make a final note talking about some of my postings. I do from time to time play the devil's advocate. I like talking about hard and complex topics. I do my very best to be respectful always. Even if I do not agree with the other view. Sometimes I push ideas I don't fully hold yet to try to understand them and to get the conversation going. For example I recently pushed the Native American conversation. I learned a lot doing it and my views are a little clearer now. Few things in life are really simple and most are very complex with ramifications extending for hundreds of years. Thank you to all the people that conversed with me in a clear respectful way. You are awesome, keep being awesome!
A good debate is logical and factual. Ofcourse not all things can be debated with facts, but that is no excuse to drop logic. A good debate also will be respectful to others and honest. The goal is neither to be offensive or to take offense. Yes, you can take offense there are always two people involved and sometimes someone is offended without good reason.
[b]So let me make a neat list in no particular order:[/b]
1. [u]Don't stoop to name calling[/u] ever, it is not productive, and I don't just mean the other debaters but [b]anybody referred to in the debate[/b] too.
2. Try to keep to the [u]facts[/u], and when there are none be logical and explain your thinking.
3. It is okay to play the devil's advocate and look at hard issues from the other side.
4. [b]Don't be offended, don't offend[/b], explain and suggest.
5. Have an [u]open mind[/u].
6. Someone's ethnicity or heritage/nationality does not have an effect on determining the validity of their thought, their intelligence, or the correctness of their idea.
7. Try to use [u]fairly good grammar/spelling[/u] and an organization that collects ideas and makes it easier to read. I don't want to be a grammar natzi but if it is really bad it takes away from the argument.
With these things in mind I hope to enjoy many more discussions/debate/conversations with you all. I hope to learn lots, look at things from all kinds of perspectives, and perhaps share an interesting idea or two.
I would like to make a final note talking about some of my postings. I do from time to time play the devil's advocate. I like talking about hard and complex topics. I do my very best to be respectful always. Even if I do not agree with the other view. Sometimes I push ideas I don't fully hold yet to try to understand them and to get the conversation going. For example I recently pushed the Native American conversation. I learned a lot doing it and my views are a little clearer now. Few things in life are really simple and most are very complex with ramifications extending for hundreds of years. Thank you to all the people that conversed with me in a clear respectful way. You are awesome, keep being awesome!
