Jim
Ringleader
This is addressed to some new funsters who might not be sure how we do things here.
Heated debate
Sometimes, when discussions get heated (almost always off topic) and posters have deeply opposing points of view; things can get a little messy. That's not fun
You should remember that when you argue/debate topics here with another poster you are basically saying the other person is wrong about whatever. These opposing viewpoints can of course lead to some humdinger arguments that can be entertaining to read or partake in. However in our forum environment you have to show the other poster that you are attacking the poster's argument only and not the poster.
When you disagree with a person instead of their argument, you make the whole thread a personal issue. When it comes to personal issues, many people are hard-wired to become defensive. The more you disagree with a person directly, the more the other person/poster will feel defensive and want to win the argument at any cost. It's important to remember that only the other person can let you win an argument. Insult them and the argument will go on, no matter who is right.
Disagree with someone's argument and not them. No matter how heated the debate, you should at the same time be friendly, focus on what is said (the argument) and not who said it. If you are friendly, polite and right, more often than not, the other poster will acknowledge of their own free will that you are right. However use terms that I have seen lately like "get a life" "a bigots point of view" and the arguments just become tit for tat, boring insults and that's just not fun.
Please have your humdinger debates, but be nice
Heated debate
Sometimes, when discussions get heated (almost always off topic) and posters have deeply opposing points of view; things can get a little messy. That's not fun
You should remember that when you argue/debate topics here with another poster you are basically saying the other person is wrong about whatever. These opposing viewpoints can of course lead to some humdinger arguments that can be entertaining to read or partake in. However in our forum environment you have to show the other poster that you are attacking the poster's argument only and not the poster.
When you disagree with a person instead of their argument, you make the whole thread a personal issue. When it comes to personal issues, many people are hard-wired to become defensive. The more you disagree with a person directly, the more the other person/poster will feel defensive and want to win the argument at any cost. It's important to remember that only the other person can let you win an argument. Insult them and the argument will go on, no matter who is right.
Disagree with someone's argument and not them. No matter how heated the debate, you should at the same time be friendly, focus on what is said (the argument) and not who said it. If you are friendly, polite and right, more often than not, the other poster will acknowledge of their own free will that you are right. However use terms that I have seen lately like "get a life" "a bigots point of view" and the arguments just become tit for tat, boring insults and that's just not fun.
Please have your humdinger debates, but be nice