Debating On Here....

[agchristie]

After another testy day maybe some words from Desmond Tutu wouldn't go amiss:-

'Don't raise your voice, improve your argument'.

Why is it that civility is waning and that differences of opinion seem to be getting more personal?

[FrogNog]

Mrs Doyle?

[sandyRoe]

Tis, so. ;-)

[wolf63]

Sandy - you're back!

I am not much good at arguing as there is usually some sense in the other person's argument.


Slapshot is right, a keyboard is the weapon of choice for cowards.

+ Politics - one side is as bad as the others.
+ Religion - you either believe or you don't
+ Eating cats & dogs (abroad) - distasteful to me, tasty to them. I can't impose my values on others. Being deliberately cruel to animals before death is not acceptable in any civilised culture.
+ Being tempted to lock my avatar in the wardrobe - very, very tempting!

Night all - I have to work(?) in Oxfam later and need my beauty sleep. Sandy - hope things are better for you.

[sandyRoe]

Wolf63, much the same but I fell into a bout of depression when I was last posting. Nice of you to ask. :-)

[wolf63]

Sandy - if your coping mechanisms are like mine you will carry on doing what you're doing until it totally overwhelms you. Not a good way of doing things.

:-)

[sandyRoe]

Wolf63, true indeed. We do as best we can. Whether it's the best for us is another matter.

[janbee]

Sandy, Father Ted and his annoying and VERY unfunny housekeeper Mrs Doyle.

AGC, yes, yesterday hit some new lows with some very bitchy and personal comments. I hope Ed sees them and deletes them. Maybe even ban one in particular.

[Rosetta]

problem is many are stuck in "I am right you are wrong" mind set and its not actually a debate as there is no change in their opinions, however well argued. Unfortunately this applies to the righteous as well as the bigot. Surely debate is about the ability to rethink, not a series of differing rants, which is largely what I see here on AB and in the wider world. Sad

[Old_Geezer]

Don't raise your voice, fail to be listened to instead' ?

I must wander over to "news" & see what the fuss is all about.

[Zacs-Master]

Not so much testy as boring. Same old people with the same old arguments. Good for a wind-up tho.

[-Talbot-]

WHO IS DEREK TUTU?

[weecalf]

A ballerina dancer ?

[janbee]

Debating on here has recently turned into a bloodsport with some very disgraceful behaviour from supposed adults.

[agchristie]

Slappy, Keyboard Warrior, now there's a term!

Off to work now, will pick up later. Keep calm and carry on (oxymoron?)

[agchristie]

Rosetta, you've hit the nail on the head.

[andy-hughes]

I will certainly hold my hand up to some pretty heavy comments on recent posts, but I do believe passionately in my argument, and I wil defend it strongly.

I do not believe I am personally insulting, although some individuals do take generic comments personally.

To date I believe I have been fair, and if I do overstep the mark - and it can happen to anyone - I have no problem in withdrawing an observation if I feel it appropriate, and apologising, again if I feel it is necessary.

I am going to try and calm down a bit - over the last week I have got seriously het up, and it doesn't really aid the spririt of debate.

I am really tired today - up at 3:15 for an airport trip - that should do the trick!!

[andy-hughes]

agchristie - "Keep calm and carry on (oxymoron?)"

No - 'Keep calm and get angry' would be the oxymoron.

[agchristie]

Andy, trip to the airport, are you putting to flight? ;-)

Seriously, the monotony of the arguments that escalate on this site is extraordinary to say the least.

Some argue not with the point made but with the person making it. Even if deep down some could agree they wouldn't show it and just lie in wait for the next opportunity for a slanging match with their foe.

[andy-hughes]

agchristie - "Andy, trip to the airport, are you putting to flight? ;-)"

No, the present Mrs Hughes has gone to Abu Dhabi this morning for three weeks work, and dutiful husband that I am, I arose at 3:15 a.m. to prepare her breakfast, heave her case into the car, and drive her to the airport, where I heaved her case out again, and kissed her goodbye.

"Seriously, the monotony of the arguments that escalate on this site is extraordinary to say the least."

That's interesting - I don't find them monotonous in the slightest - as you can tell by the enthusiasm with which I take part in them!

"Some argue not with the point made but with the person making it. Even if deep down some could agree they wouldn't show it and just lie in wait for the next opportunity for a slanging match with their foe."

That's true, although speaking personally, I have on occasions had my views swayed by the arguments I read, and if that happens, I am always happy to advise it.

I personally don't have 'foes', i will debate with anyone and everyone and try not to take personal cricitism to heart - heaven knows I can punch my weight in that area!

Have a great weekend.

[Zeuhl]

I think it is also the format and mechanism

I bet that if everyone was in the same room, able to interact with all the usual nuances of humour, sarcasm, respectful assertiveness etc

then very few debates would degenerate into rows as they do on here.