Thoughts on discussion/debate culture

[Tambourine]

I haven't been here for long but I've gotten the impression that religiously or politically themed discussions on these boards often seem to go along these lines:

Step 1: Somebody asks a leading question with a likely conclusion that is insulting to a specific group of members on this forum.
Step 2: The people who are responding either call the author of the opening post out on this, or simply respond sarcastically.
Step 3: Two people get into a tangential debate over e.g. Biblical minutiae, or something along those lines.
Step 4: Everyone loses interest, and a new thread on a slightly different topic is created. Repeat from Step 1.


Am I alone with this impression? What do you guys think about it?

 

[ChristineM]

Good points that apply to some posters, i see representations of your points every day.

However, there is another side to the coin, actually several other side's. The fun side, the serious side, the deep meaningful side, the knowledgeable side. And of course RF is quite a nice, civilised (usually) place to be, certainly beats the food fights of other forums I've been on.

 

[Secret Chief]

I haven't been here for long but I've gotten the impression that religiously or politically themed discussions on these boards often seem to go along these lines:

Step 1: Somebody asks a leading question with a likely conclusion that is insulting to a specific group of members on this forum.
Step 2: The people who are responding either call the author of the opening post out on this, or simply respond sarcastically.
Step 3: Two people get into a tangential debate over e.g. Biblical minutiae, or something along those lines.
Step 4: Everyone loses interest, and a new thread on a slightly different topic is created. Repeat from Step 1.


Am I alone with this impression? What do you guys think about it?

Step 1 : Yes Tambourine, you've just insulted us all

 

[Piculet]

My thoughts on Internet forums is that they are ultimately a waste of time and the worst waste of time is perhaps someone displeased with an Internet forum complaining about Internet forums on an Internet forum.

 

[Quintessence]

Depends on the opening poster. Certain members are prone to doing this, others aren't (no, that's not an invitation to name names - please don't).

For my part, I'm pretty sure I am rarely if ever guilty of what @Tambourine talks about in threads I create. When I create a thread, it is rarely if ever about me. I create threads to get others to think critically, to learn, or to explore some aspect of themselves or others. If I want an open discussion like that, it is essential for the framing of the opening post to be as inclusive and impartial as it can be. Thus, that's how I write nearly all of my opening posts. I don't expect everyone to write to similar standards in the least - how you frame your OP's depends on what your goals are and why you are here.

One of the things I've become more keenly aware of working in higher education over the past few years is that the key to learning is asking good questions. Asking good questions, however, is not necessarily something people are taught. And on a forum like this, that may not be why people are here, either.

 

[McBell]

My thoughts on Internet forums is that they are ultimately a waste of time and the worst waste of time is perhaps someone displeased with an Internet forum complaining about Internet forums on an Internet forum.

and yet here you are repeatedly demonstrating the first point pointed out in the OP....

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I haven't been here for long but I've gotten the impression that religiously or politically themed discussions on these boards often seem to go along these lines:

Step 1: Somebody asks a leading question with a likely conclusion that is insulting to a specific group of members on this forum.
Step 2: The people who are responding either call the author of the opening post out on this, or simply respond sarcastically.
Step 3: Two people get into a tangential debate over e.g. Biblical minutiae, or something along those lines.
Step 4: Everyone loses interest, and a new thread on a slightly different topic is created. Repeat from Step 1.


Am I alone with this impression? What do you guys think about it?

You got them all for the most part. Of course admitting or knowing they do it is a totally different story.

 

[Onoma]

I think it's a valid observation

But, when you say " leading question ", do you mean the type of question you'd use in the Socratic method ?

I find there are really two reasons why one asks a question

1. Because they want to learn
2. Because they want to teach

 

[Nakosis]

I haven't been here for long but I've gotten the impression that religiously or politically themed discussions on these boards often seem to go along these lines:

Step 1: Somebody asks a leading question with a likely conclusion that is insulting to a specific group of members on this forum.
Step 2: The people who are responding either call the author of the opening post out on this, or simply respond sarcastically.
Step 3: Two people get into a tangential debate over e.g. Biblical minutiae, or something along those lines.
Step 4: Everyone loses interest, and a new thread on a slightly different topic is created. Repeat from Step 1.


Am I alone with this impression? What do you guys think about it?

I see it more as the beginning of humanity's hive mind. All of these minds connected together through cyberspace. Yes, there is a lot of discussion, disagreement and even insults. I also see some influence and finding of common ground. It's a collective thought process. The beginnings of a common consciousness for humankind.

 

[ChristineM]

My thoughts on Internet forums is that they are ultimately a waste of time and the worst waste of time is perhaps someone displeased with an Internet forum complaining about Internet forums on an Internet forum.

Good for griping at atheists though eh?

 

[PureX]

I haven't been here for long but I've gotten the impression that religiously or politically themed discussions on these boards often seem to go along these lines:

Step 1: Somebody asks a leading question with a likely conclusion that is insulting to a specific group of members on this forum.
Step 2: The people who are responding either call the author of the opening post out on this, or simply respond sarcastically.
Step 3: Two people get into a tangential debate over e.g. Biblical minutiae, or something along those lines.
Step 4: Everyone loses interest, and a new thread on a slightly different topic is created. Repeat from Step 1.


Am I alone with this impression? What do you guys think about it?

So what do you think people are getting from these exchanges? I mean, we must be getting something, to expend so much time and effort on it. But what?

 

[sun rise]

often seem to go along these lines:

Often is accurate. There are time when meaningful discussions break out and such are one reason I'm still here. There are a few who are genuinely interested in asking a question, learning some more or want to have a real discussion.

"May their tribe increase"

 

[Secret Chief]

My thoughts on Internet forums is that they are ultimately a waste of time and the worst waste of time is perhaps someone displeased with an Internet forum complaining about Internet forums on an Internet forum.

8.4 posts/day.

 

[Tambourine]

So what do you think people are getting from these exchanges? I mean, we must be getting something, to expend so much time and effort on it. But what?

That's what I'd like to know...

Often is accurate. There are time when meaningful discussions break out and such are one reason I'm still here. There are a few who are genuinely interested in asking a question, learning some more or want to have a real discussion.

"May their tribe increase"

Oh, I've absolutely had some interesting exchanges, even in threads like I've described in the opening post. I'm just wondering what went through the mind of a thread's author when they post stuff like "Do you think <group> are terrible people because they refuse to believe in my religion, or because they're just terrible people?" in the open debate sections.

Good points that apply to some posters, i see representations of your points every day.

However, there is another side to the coin, actually several other side's. The fun side, the serious side, the deep meaningful side, the knowledgeable side. And of course RF is quite a nice, civilised (usually) place to be, certainly beats the food fights of other forums I've been on.

They certainly are a fairly civil place given the usual subject matter of debates her, I'll give you that.

 

[Tambourine]

My thoughts on Internet forums is that they are ultimately a waste of time and the worst waste of time is perhaps someone displeased with an Internet forum complaining about Internet forums on an Internet forum.

So why are you here, then?

 

[Piculet]

So why are you here, then?

Doesn't really matter, does it?

 

[Piculet]

8.4 posts/day.

Clean your backyard, mate.

 

[Piculet]

Good for griping at atheists though eh?

I don't know. They tend to have a poor attitude..

 

[Piculet]

and yet here you are repeatedly demonstrating the first point pointed out in the OP....

Your point being?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I wish there's a point. Some people challenge others just because they can not to learn anything that would change or enhance their perspective without seeing what they "learn" through the eyes of their own.