Civil Debate

[Bahlk]

I think alot of the disagreement accelerating to insulting is because this is the internet. Some people think...hey, they don't know me which gives me a license to be an ultimate a**. If you don't know the people personally there isn't much at stake except a screename.

[Bahlk]

Alot of people have a fear of conflict but in the "internet" age they don't have to worry about that. Like you said, debate is good between two or more parties. Nothing wrong with that it's when the debate goes south and gets into personal attacks that the productivity has stopped and nothing worthwhile is produced. :smt118

[zorro]

I considered starting a separate thread with this response titled "What is your favorite insult that you have received here at MH", but I just decided to post it here instead. Here is the insult:

Derrick and Zorro...this 'sometimes guns save lives' BS is about the biggest crock of BS that I have heard here...in a pack of dumbasses...you are the silverbacks....
Here was a part of my response:
what definition of "silverback" did you have in mind? And is anybody who disagrees with you "a dumbass" in your estimation? Is there a possibility that you could be "a dumbass"? Why or why not? Is there a possibility that you resort to namecalling when you don't have much of an argument and you think that this methodology will somehow bolster what weak one that you might have?

I've got a suggestion for you to consider: just state your argument about something and let it go at that. Namecalling just makes you look like what you are accusing others of being.
:smt006
The silverback of dumbasses
aka

[wilebill]

So, Z, how long do you carry a grudge? :smt102

[amanda]

...The silverback of dumbasses

Sounded pretty "civil" to me! :D

[zorro]

So, Z, how long do you carry a grudge? :smt102
I don't carry one. I actually think that it was funny. It was certainly imaginative.

[amanda]

Oh, yea, I just love the posts where the person insults everything about you then adds the cute little smile :) like that's going to make it alright.

[zorro]

Oh, yea, I just love the posts where the person insults everything about you then adds the cute little smile :) like that's going to make it alright.
"When you call me that, smile!" -- from ch 2 of The Virginian by Owen Wister

[big john]

Oh, yea, I just love the posts where the person insults everything about you then adds the cute little smile :) like that's going to make it alright.if we insult someone,we ought to put,BLESS YOUR HEART.My grandma says that makes everything alright then. lets try.



doc is wrong,you should have a civil debate the same way you have a civil war,he is such a dummy,bless his heart.:)

Hey it works!

[Astra]

I'm used to another board where EVERYTHING is backed up with cites and personal attacks are just not tolerated - the place isn't overly moderated, but the users themselves won't stand for it. Those who act like jerks get called on it. Those who construct arguments based on weak information get called on it. Some react with grace, others get defensive, and some just go ballistic. Defensive can be understandable, but ballistic usually doesn't score points.

Despite that, most people get along well in other threads even if they are at each others throats on some topic. The users that stick around are those who participate in the entire community.

[amanda]

Kind of like calling someone a jackassclown as a term of endearment? :smt102

Like this...

jackassclown :)

I've never found profanity of any kind endearing...but that's just me.


It's all in context right? The parties themselves know for which they stand. I believe if the party had been really hurt by being called a "jackassclown", it would have come off in their reply/replies. Some things aren't about debate, but friendship, companionship, jest. The remark, if my memory serves me, was done in a "fun" off-the-wall thread where anything goes. Where we can pick and make off-the-cuff remarks about each other. It isn't a personal attack on their character or beliefs.

[Hermione]

Reminds me of a woman I know who used to say of her husband, "I know he's an idiot, but he's my idiot."

[amanda]

Reminds me of a woman I know who used to say of her husband, "I know he's an idiot, but he's my idiot."


Exactly!!! :smt038

[amanda]

I still go back to Bahlk's assertion about the internet. I think removing body language is a hurdle that is hard to cross. SoMissTV and I have had times where people have misunderstood our attempt (and all we really do is attempt because we stink at the art of it) to be sarcastic.

The Coyote seems to have online sarcasm down to a science and an art.


Maybe it's knowing who you can be sarcastic with, hm? Having some type of friendly relationship prior to throwing in the sarcasim helps. Getting to know their personality, as best you can in these settings. Putting some thought into the subject that the sarcasim is directed to is also a plus.

Simply put - Know your subject.

[big john]

who called who a jackassclown?That sounds pretty rough,even in jest.
I would probably play along like it was funny,as long as it was a one time thing,oh well.
doc didnt say anything about my post,so i dont think he found it funny,I was just joking,the post was to make me look like the dummy.

[fuzzis]

who called who a jackassclown?That sounds pretty rough,even in jest.
I would probably play along like it was funny,as long as it was a one time thing,oh well.
doc didnt say anything about my post,so i dont think he found it funny,I was just joking,the post was to make me look like the dummy.

I call noway a jackassclown, and he knows exactly why, too. Which is why he doesn't say a word about it. He knows he deserves every bit of it...and then some.

fuzzis

[zorro]

I was just joking,the post was to make me look like the dummy.
Mission accomplished. :smt118

[amanda]

Mission accomplished. :smt118

See - Doc. Sarcasim that works! :)

[big john]

hey! i just typed jackassclown in google and a bunch of stuff on this website come up,hey,fuzzis,did you invent jackassclown?LOL
It might get in the dictionary soon.

[Augustus McRae]

See - Doc. Sarcasim that works! :)

Seems, pilgrims, everyone wants the "civil debate" rules to be in effect for everyone else. If someone else exceeds the boundaries of "civil debate," they are an asshole. If we do that, we are just using "sarcasm" for intelligent emphasis and hyperbole, right? Just wanted to make sure I understood.

Civilly yours,

GM

[Augustus McRae]

hey! i just typed jackassclown in google and a bunch of stuff on this website come up,hey,fuzzis,did you invent jackassclown?LOL
It might get in the dictionary soon.

Big'un, you ain't got enough to do!

[big john]

Mission accomplished. :smt118Shouldn't there be a bible quote beside this:smt118

[amanda]

Seems, pilgrims, everyone wants the "civil debate" rules to be in effect for everyone else. If someone else exceeds the boundaries of "civil debate," they are an asshole. If we do that, we are just using "sarcasm" for intelligent emphasis and hyperbole, right? Just wanted to make sure I understood.

Civilly yours,

GM


Well, bless your heart, I guess it does! :smt038

[zorro]

Civilly yours,

GM

Bless your heart. :)

[big john]

Big'un, you ain't got enough to do!this one went over my head.

[Augustus McRae]

Shouldn't there be a bible quote beside this:smt118


Now, I God, Woodrow, THAT was funny!

[zorro]

Well, bless your heart, I guess it does! :smt038
amandah, you were quicker on the "heart blessing"!

[amanda]

amandah, you were quicker on the "heart blessing"!

:) I learn quick!

[Augustus McRae]

this one went over my head.


Now that's a surprise...

[wilebill]

The Coyote seems to have online sarcasm down to a science and an art.Actually, all this time I've been trying to piss people off. I guess I suck at that. Oh well, sarcasm will have to do. :smt102

To be honest, though, I generally read and re-read what I'm going to post. Very seldom am I mad at someone when I say something and for the most part I do try and be civil.

[kevin]

Doc your so right! I keep getting told to get my panties out of a wad.I don't wear panties.....

[dollfus46]

It's all in context right? The parties themselves know for which they stand. I believe if the party had been really hurt by being called a "jackassclown", it would have come off in their reply/replies. Some things aren't about debate, but friendship, companionship, jest. The remark, if my memory serves me, was done in a "fun" off-the-wall thread where anything goes. Where we can pick and make off-the-cuff remarks about each other. It isn't a personal attack on their character or beliefs.

It won't necessarily come off in a reply post. Some just ignore it. Sometimes we choose not to reply at all because our blood pressure is a bit elevated and it's best to let it go. But I can't think of one instance where I'd not be insulted by being called a jackass or a clown. "The remark" has been used more than once too. You're right though, it isn't always a personal attack on their character or beliefs, but is obviously just that many times, and if the point is made, it gets back slaps all around. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd bet the farm that this board isn't going to police itself. And putting "flags" in peoples hands won't work. Too many here aren't mature enough to use it properly. You need a neutral referee. But finding one of those is like trying to find an elephant holding hands with a mouse.

[dollfus46]

Doc your so right! I keep getting told to get my panties out of a wad.I don't wear panties.....

That ain't the story going around Hattiesburg, Kevin.

[dollfus46]

I call noway a jackassclown, and he knows exactly why, too. Which is why he doesn't say a word about it. He knows he deserves every bit of it...and then some.

fuzzis

I don't doubt you did but you're not the one I recall using it.

[dollfus46]

Maybe it's knowing who you can be sarcastic with, hm? Having some type of friendly relationship prior to throwing in the sarcasim helps. Getting to know their personality, as best you can in these settings. Putting some thought into the subject that the sarcasim is directed to is also a plus.

Simply put - Know your subject.

Dead shot, Amandah. If you know each other because of lunches, or school, if you PM and IM and Email and cut the fool together, fine.

[SoMissTV]

And SoMiss hasn't even posted yet. :)

I'm not sarcastic, and everyone is dumb! :smt119

[SoMissTV]

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. :)

I take that back. You're the only dumb one here.

[kevin]

That ain't the story going around Hattiesburg, Kevin.
To all the girls I've loved before.....ahhh,yeah the memories!!!!!! I HAVE A PAIR AND THERE ARE MY WIFES.......STILLL TICKING........:smt118

[dollfus46]

To all the girls I've loved before.....ahhh,yeah the memories!!!!!! I HAVE A PAIR AND THERE ARE MY WIFES.......STILLL TICKING........:smt118

Heh heh heh, yeah, I 'spose it makes a big difference if your bride is in them at the same time, huh? See how nasty rumors get started?

[zorro]

Hey Doc,

Your daughter who was quoted in your last post above reminds me of 58ford. :smt103