Why do you debate?

[marsdaddy]

Be honest with yourself. Most of you are transparent.

[yeahwho]

Because I am correct in my logic.

[abcdefz]

If I can help just one person, it's worth it. (y)



...too bad there wasn't a "Because I never lie and I'm always right" option.

[kleptomaniac]

i didn't get on the debate team at my school... so my debating is dreck (n)

[marsdaddy]

I'd like those of you suggesting other options to make your case.

[GreenEarthAl]

I couldn't find an appropriate option for me.

I used to come here to debate a lot because it helped me learn stuff. Even in instances where what I was learning was nothing more than how misinformed some people are that was still valuable information. People like Blighty and Mayday and even, I have to admit, Paul Nice taugh me a lot, including things I didn't want to know or admit. In many cases I have debated to strengthen my commitment to certain ideas, which has been very beneficial to me in my writing and in my living.

THANKS BEASTIE BOARD! (y)

[kleptomaniac]

my answer is actually quite accurate, because when somebody asks me something like that, i tend to just repeat what they say only with emphasis on you. i'm pretty annoying. :rolleyes:

[yeahwho]

Debate is not what many think it is, the most congenial and polite people I know are excellent at debate. It isn't about bombast, it's about proving a given point and not losing your poise. It takes true mental strength to keep a straight face when your ideals are being attacked.

It's not unlike playing high stakes poker.

[marsdaddy]

I couldn't find an appropriate option for me.

I used to come here to debate a lot because it helped me learn stuff. Even in instances where what I was learning was nothing more than how misinformed some people are that was still valuable information. People like Blighty and Mayday and even, I have to admit, Paul Nice taugh me a lot, including things I didn't want to know or admit. In many cases I have debated to strengthen my commitment to certain ideas, which has been very beneficial to me in my writing and in my living.

THANKS BEASTIE BOARD! (y)I think I meant for the first option to apply in this instance. OpenMindedAlex. :)

[marsdaddy]

It's not unlike playing high stakes poker.Except, in high stakes poker, unless you're Bill Gates, you eventually run out of money. Thenyou have to walk away from the table broke. When you return, you hopefully remember you lost your shirt last time by not observing others. Unless you're an addict.

[yeahwho]

Except, in high stakes poker, unless you're Bill Gates, you eventually run out of money. Thenyou have to walk away from the table broke. When you return, you hopefully remember you lost your shirt last time by not observing others. Unless you're an addict.
You don't have to be Bill Gates, just focus your talk on what people want to hear, like Harlan McCraney (http://media.ebaumsworld.com/wmv/bushexplained.wmv) did for GWB.

[mickill]

Transparent? Maybe everybody else, sure. My motives tend to change from day to day, though. You can't label my steez. Usually, I just make fun of people for liking/believing in/doing what they do. I don't like getting into long drawn out debates, though. My style is stick and move. I have no problem admitting when I'm right.

[yeahwho]

Transparent? Maybe everybody else, sure. My motives tend to change from day to day, though. You can't label my steez. Usually, I just make fun of people for liking/believing in/doing what they do. I don't like getting into long drawn out debates, though. My style is stick and move. I have no problem admitting when I'm right.

is that so

[mickill]

Yes. It is.



Why?

[yeahwho]

Yes. It is.



Why?

it's not so

that's why.

[jabumbo]

to hear others opinions


but it usually doesn't work itself out that way...

[Qdrop]

many many reasons...

and yes, of course EGO is one of them. duh.

it's fuckin fun...and competitive. and you learn alot about yourself and others.

i think it's pathetic when people refuse to do so...particularly when they make some BS statement, and they refuse to defend it.

[marsdaddy]

Transparent? Maybe everybody else, sure. My motives tend to change from day to day, though. You can't label my steez. Usually, I just make fun of people for liking/believing in/doing what they do. I don't like getting into long drawn out debates, though. My style is stick and move. I have no problem admitting when I'm right.Transparent! Do I need to link you to dictionary.com? It's your moral compass that swings with the tides. You're Canadian, so your steez is a shotgun. You call that making fun, I call it bullying. I don't mind long drawn out debates when the other party acknowledges a debate and focuses on issues rather than semantics. It's your avalanche of typing that sucks. Your style is echewta-lite -- a little too well-groomed. You don't just admit when you're right, you fly your flag.

[yeahwho]

many many reasons...

and yes, of course EGO is one of them. duh.

it's fuckin fun...and competitive. and you learn alot about yourself and others.

i think it's pathetic when people refuse to do so...particularly when they make some BS statement, and they refuse to defend it.

Just because you're a hard-nosed prescriptivist when it suits you to be so, doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to tremble before your lexicographical might.

[abcdefz]

As my ex-girlfriend used to say, "You're wrong, and I'll tell you why:"
























































...and, more often than not, she was right. :o

[Qdrop]

Just because you're a hard-nosed prescriptivist when it suits you to be so, doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to tremble before your lexicographical might.

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!

[yeahwho]

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!
will your right if you mean Neil Young, because Y does come before Z, is an alphabetical sense.

[mickill]

Transparent! Do I need to link you to dictionary.com? It's your moral compass that swings with the tides. You're Canadian, so your steez is a shotgun. You call that making fun, I call it bullying. I don't mind long drawn out debates when the other party acknowledges a debate and focuses on issues rather than semantics. It's your avalanche of typing that sucks. Your style is echewta-lite -- a little too well-groomed. You don't just admit when you're right, you fly your flag.
Sorry, I don't follow. Shotgun? I'm a bully? My typing sucks? Too well-groomed? I fly my Canadian flag?

[like2_drink]

when i do it, i don't so much call it debating, more educating then anything.

[abcdefz]

You should see The Squid and the Whale. (y)

[marsdaddy]

many many reasons...

and yes, of course EGO is one of them. duh.

it's fuckin fun...and competitive. and you learn alot about yourself and others.

i think it's pathetic when people refuse to do so...particularly when they make some BS statement, and they refuse to defend it.Yes, ego is one reason we do everything.

You've not debated me in a while, Pinocchio. Probably something to do with your superiority, I'm sure.

Maybe you should call talk radio when you get frustrated by BS statements.

[Qdrop]

Maybe you should call talk radio when you get frustrated by BS statements.

i've seriously considered that....
i just don't have the time....i'm driving or at work.

[Bob]

i'm the funniest person in the thread

[yeahwho]

Q is good at debate because he knows what buttons to push...almost a side strategy....

I always look for a person having a well supported argument and explaining it in increasing detail starting with a straight forward, simple argument.

The more facts that back it up the better.

Some of the point by point debating I've seen is too boring to ever make the purposeful point the debater is trying to get across.

Keep it brief and fact-filled.

[Bob]

Keep it brief and fact-filled.

it's very hard to do both of those at the same time

[kleptomaniac]

i'm the funniest looking person in the thread


just kidding bob :D

[yeahwho]

it's very hard to do both of those at the same time

Factual, just the facts mam, like Joe Friday used to say.

[Bob]

That's debatable.

YOU'RE debatable!

[g-mile7]

2 help at least one person even if that one is myself

[marsdaddy]

Bob, you are funny. You'll be head writer on Family Guy in no time.

[mickill]

marsdaddy's pretty savvy with the cutting remarks. He's like Qdrop-lite.

[Bob]

i'd better start smoking pot now

[Ace42X]

I subscribe to some athenian ideals. Like the philosophers of old, I think it is a citizen's duty to challenge any misconception they perceive, and thus establish truth. To bite one's tongue and do nothing is to be complicit with the error, and thus ignorance in general.

[Bob]

I subscribe to some athenian ideals. Like the philosophers of old, I think it is a citizen's duty to challenge any misconception they perceive, and thus establish truth. To bite one's tongue and do nothing is to be complicit with the error, and thus ignorance in general.

quiet, faggot

(i subscribe to spartan ideals)



see? i'm funny

[TurdBerglar]

i love argueing/debateing. i also like to piss people off over nonsense. i just feels good to know you have an ability to get under someones skin. it's very hard to irritate me and it seems to me people get irritated way to quickly and i take delight in that.

when being serious about something it's great to debate becuase you always learn something about yourself and the others involved in the bebate and about the subject matter being debated on.

[CrankItUp!]

i love argueing/debateing. i also like to piss people off over nonsense. i just feels good to know you have an ability to get under someones skin. it's very hard to irritate me and it seems to me people get irritated way to quickly and i take delight in that.

when being serious about something it's great to debate becuase you always learn something about yourself and the others involved in the bebate and about the subject matter being debated on.

He said debate - not masterbate. :D

[GreenEarthAl]

quiet, faggot

(i subscribe to spartan ideals)

see? i'm funny

I LOLd

[Ace42X]

all you guys who love to debate. how many of you can actually accept when you're wrong?

That's hard to say. I am sure I have, but searching for posts by me including the word "wrong" is rather pointless. 90% of the threads involve me telling racerstan that he is wrong, complete with explanatory diagrams.

[Documad]

all you guys who love to debate. how many of you can actually accept when you're wrong?
I am very good at this. I'm also terrific at the heartfelt apology. It's too bad that I rarely get to use it. (I'm also good at congratulating the winner.)

In real life, I'm more of a questioner than a debater. I want to know what other people think and why.

I'm not as good at the internet. Mostly I jump in when someone is full of shit or is a bully and no one else has mentioned it. I do that in real life too.

[Ace42X]

Mostly I jump in when someone is full of shit or is a bully and no one else has mentioned it.

Feel free to jump in on me any time. I like your avatar.

[Gareth]

I don't like getting into long drawn out debates, though. My style is stick and move (http://screenmania.retrogames.com/nes/01/nes_0001.html).

[guerillaGardner]

Because I believe that the world is fucked unless we get a grip so I debate to try to make people wake up before its too late.

[enree erzweglle]

In my experience, people who enjoy/seek casual debate tend to be controlling and they won't give up until they've met their goals, which are usually to do a conversion. I tend to avoid those situations with people who aren't close to me or if it's regarding unimportant issues.

When I'm close to someone and we want to discuss something, we'll do it, but when it starts to feel even close to an argument that's going sour, I'll shut down. When a conversation degrades like that, it's rarely productive (and, in fact, is usually counterproductive on multiple fronts).

[ms.peachy]

Depends. Sometimes I really feel a point is worth arguing. Other times I just feel like getting into it with someone and just get a kind of perverse pleasure out of it. Bit masturbatory I know but there ya have it, I'm a masturbator. Sue me.

[fucktopgirl]

I love to debate to learn news stuff and it can be a rush!!I love to debate to piss people off too sometimes,when its obvious that their ideas is wrong!!But usually i am a pacific debater,,i dont want blood to drip out of nobody nose!!

Here on the board ,because of my not so"super english control",i try to keep it low key,,,i cannot go in long battles cuz really my grammar suck.But in the real world,,i love exchanging ideas and fighting for my beliefs!!

[Kid Presentable]

i'm the funniest person in the thread
pffffft.

[marsdaddy]

I should have put, "because only my world view can be true."

Bob and Freebasser are ass clowns.

[enree erzweglle]

Ah yes, nice and sensible (y)
The down side is if someone approaches me and s/he really wants a fight and if I see this and shut down, they'll often try hard to bait me into the argument. And they can be relentless about it. Sometimes, it gets personal.

That sucks.

It often takes more energy to resist the debate/argument than it does to actually have the damn thing.

[jabumbo]

In real life, I'm more of a questioner than a debater. I want to know what other people think and why.

i like to mention that far out, very unlikely scenario to people who are debating because it gets at least one side mad that i gave their opponent a little edge.

its a hit and run type of thing. i say my piece and get out

[marsdaddy]

It often takes more energy to resist the debate/argument than it does to actually have the damn thing.I want to converse with you about conflict avoidance, but don't want it to turn into a debate.