Debate Room

sandyd · 05-23-2012, 10:45 PM

Many of us, IMHO, are not debaters...we are more sitting around a coffee table discussing and sometimes learning stuff and sometimes disagreeing.

But some here want the debate. The win my side of the issue. The here are my sources and they are better than yours.

For those folks, they could take any thing they want in that room and debate with rules to their hearts and minds content...and those of us not into that would STAY OUT.

If they want to post their thoughts/sources on the same subject where others are bantering the subject back and forth....okay..as long as they don't jump up yelling they won a point in some debate game they have going on that we are not playing.

Those like me, could watch the debate but not join unless willing to play by the debate rules. The debaters could post or watch discussions without looking to win or lose points.

Maybe if we didn't have both happening in the same threads, we would all be happier?

Thoughts????
Thanks for your time...

jason · 05-23-2012, 10:48 PM

Debate, discuss, it's all the same thing. We're here to share ideas.

You continue to take my comment in the other thread out of context. Discuss the topic, don't attack a person for voicing an opinion.

CanadaSue · 05-23-2012, 10:51 PM

Op/Ed can easily serve that function.

sandyd · 05-23-2012, 10:53 PM

but I see folks debating with some idea of debate rules in their heads that are NOT in mine....and probably not in others.

If we were sitting around a table, and you used a phrase and I asked you "are you sure you said that correctly?" and smiled...would you think I was insulting you?

If someone does that to me...I think "ummm...did I say it right? I can ask how they heard it or I can try to say it again either with different words or more words and see if they understand what I mean" I don't figure they are trying to insult me.

---------- Post added at 07:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 PM ----------

Are debate rules listed for that room?

I never did debate team or even watched 'em. So....if there are rules, someone could put them in there as a sticky?

sandyd · 05-23-2012, 11:12 PM

jason: go here please
http://thisbluemarble.com/showpost.p...8&postcount=59 then look at posts between me and Mouse.

Because I had to work to guess what she meant and I admit, did get a bit pissy, it took longer to resolve the communication problem. It was all in a word but she never said why it made her upset and snarky...I had to figure it out.

If I had just left it as she was insulting me and she left it as I was a crass jerk...

would that have been best?

CanadaSue · 05-24-2012, 01:18 AM

How would any set of debating rules sorted out a misunderstanding?

lisa · 05-24-2012, 02:09 AM

the problem with a wirtten debate at times is that you can't hear the inflections in a persons voice or see their facial expressions so misunderstandings happen more easily. Of course a simple clarification such as "is this what you're saying?" before getting too bent out of shape maybe could help.

flourbug · 05-24-2012, 07:10 AM

Canada Sue is right. The place to post your opinion is Op/Ed.

Over the years, we've had a few members who wanted to tell us how they saw things, and not debate or defend their position. So we created Op/Ed.

TBM is a discussion group, and a discussion is a conversation or debate about a topic.

We don't formally debate. There are no written rules of procedure. But common sense tells us that if you make a statement, you will invite comments from those who disagree and can present a convincing set of reasons to support their case.

So, if you just want to state your opinion, take it to Op/Ed. If you are prepared to validate your statements with facts so it becomes more than just your own opinion, the entire Main Floor is yours.