"Learn to debate"

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:idea:

Reading non-fiction, can get a little dry, I admit. If you're having trouble committing to learning about important subjects I strongly recommend watching documentaries. I've been leaving them on when I do other things, and I've learned a ton of really interesting things just by listening.

I also suggest checking out Reddit's "Today I Learned" board: http://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/
It's focused pretty heavily on obscure and almost-unbelievable historical events.

And for entertainment, I suggest reading articles about history from Cracked.com. They explore important and ridiculous events in a way that's pretty funny most of the time.

I laughed so f*****g hard....

For OP: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=learn+how+to+debate

But what about the "banned" hammer?

Agreed






Maybe you were a moth in a previous life

OK Thanks, but all I needed was about informal discussion. I tend to turn a lot of people off sometimes.

Hey, I think I can speak for most of us here that we nearly all do this. For me its one of the curses of having this bloody awful disorder, some people think an ASD is beneficial in their lives, I for one do not. So yeah when you post most likely you will turn some people off, others will read and respond, some not kindly some helpful, where criticism is positive take it on board. I have made a couple of good friends on this forum and we chat online quite a bit.

PPR whilst having less restrictive moderation than the rest of the site still has good moderation and I would say that it provides a safe debating environment. flame wars, personal attacks are only tolerated to a very fine degree.

So post away, remember if you post very controversial opinions expect to be challenged on them

Lastly if you need help with general fitting in with people, the other sections of this site are a great resource for you.

Debating is simple. All you have to do is:

1. Turn it into a pissing contest.
2. Be a hypocrite
3. Ask loaded questions
4. Be dismissive

That's the easy part. The hard part is building credibility in a debate by:

1. Having intellectual honesty
2. Making sure your words match up to your conduct/actions
3. Ask questions that seek to clarify what exactly the other person means if you are confused.
4. Consider it your duty to address all issues fully

I'm not trying to be preachy and force my expectations on others. I think we're all guilty of getting too wrapped up in the debate at times. I'm just saying that credibility isn't established by how loud you toot your own horn but by how consistent you are in the face of scrutiny. Being polite alone won't make you credible, but being obnoxious definitely undermines your credibility by showing you care more about winning the debate than doing justice to it. That's why the "focus on the argument, not the tone" stuff is BS to me since your tone not only says something about your character but also your motives. So even though it helps to have good manners, credibility is what makes people respect you above all.

^ I'm willing to bed this guy is way more polite than I am.

i bet no one likes a know it all either.
;)
or folks that pay and play too much attention to detail...
like me.

Well I'm definitely not the nicest guy here. Hell I don't think politeness is the end all be all of debating. But I do try to avoid being arrogant and obnoxious. As long as you're intellectually honest and sincere I can respect you as a person and as a debater.

Last edited by AceOfSpades on 12 Jan 2014, 7:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

If I may be so bold, here are two more to add to your list. These were bestowed upon yours truly in 2012 (The Year of the Raptor). In parentheses are the usernames of those who where thoughtful enough to bestow such honors upon me.

5. Revert to scatology and insults within two or three posts. (Vigilans).
6. Actively worsen every topic you join and turn it into a festering cesspit (Lord_Gareth).

Actually, PPR was relatively calm in 2013 and will probably remain calm for most of 2014. As the election year nears things will get more and more out of hand.
The last time around things started picking up in mid 2011 and throughout 2012.

Most people today are not trained in logical fallacies or Rhetoric, so if you want to debate keep it simple and polite. Only debate on what you know and if the person is a jerk or you are not having fun leave. The tactic I use in most informal debates is to display an impartial attitude towards the topic and let my opponent explain his/her position and then insert my opinion in the form of a question. This usually keeps the discussion pleasant and if worded properly ends up convincing your opponent. However, your opponent must never feel like you are being confrontational or they will respond by being confrontational too.

yeah..i guess no one got my wit about the bed thing earlier..with the know it all and all of that....

Autism and all of that.i guess..:)

But seriously the autism thingy..makes debate really really difficult...

at times....depending on.......

who understands what..who's on first..then on third...and just how who ran to home plate..and all of that2....on second base...

Team sports ain't my kinda fun...

Herding cats and all of that.....

ah dam it..sometimes all you can do is say...

rats... and move on .. to the next challenge or goal....

and just try to score.