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2 opposing opinions.
Asking people to always provide evidence and links etc is a waste of time for 2 reasons.
(1) It wouldn't happen.
(2) It would make for boring debate.
And after all, arent we all here to have a little fun?
i agree now where's all those right-wing psuedo-metallers till i get a debate going
i chuck my wood far too much for my own liking
We can all start quoting bits from published sources but what does that prove?
Much better in my view to tell it as you see it, and for reasons known to yourself.
Just my view.
If you want lightheartedness and opinionated stuff, there is always `anything goes`.
Nope. I am here primarily to learn how people think. Your idea of debate is a lot like what I would call "pointless argument" If you have already made your mind up about a topic, then why even post or read the thread?
Only 2? Very limited and pretty pointless.
I only take my views from my experience, and I can assure you that you don't do it. Presenting views "from your heart and mind" is pointless in a debate, I don't have you heart or your mind, and so cannot know what you are on about. If you are presented with facts that invalidate your view, it is a sign of insanity to continue to hold it.
that there is a factual basis for your opinion.
Then why talk at all? You are wasting your time doing that.
Thanks for your answers, Mat and RK, but they are useless to me and teach me nothing other than it's pointless to discuss anything with you at all.
Same for us, you're on a different planet.
I`d say question EVERYTHING,(especially one`s own "belief system")
seeker
I do my best but some of the boards are active for days - I tend to post only weekday afternoons, sorry
We is those who let you down, this I of we will try harder in future, miss.
What doesn't work is when someone quotes something from personal experience as a fact. If something is expressed as a fact (say x number of people came into this country or x number of soliders have been killed in Iraq) then it needs some substantive source. Otherwise people are simply able to make up facts to support a case which doesn't help debate at all.
Of course their are facts that support any number of sides to an arguement but that doesn't discount their value, it allows people to see where the basis of someone's views come from.
Which is why if you want to use facts and quotes in debates you are required to find sources for them, otherwise why would anyone believe what's being said? If they don't believe it, because there is no evidence, then there's very little hope of debate.
Though I'd also say that debate requires an element of openness. If someone uses personal experience as a basis for their post then further discussion is inevitably going to focus on understanding that experience and questioning the conclusions drawn by the poster - which requires people to debate what they saw, heard about, or thought. Which is why people ask about where things happened and when.
In my view one thing debate should never be about is people just standing on a soapbox shouting what they think (from whatever side of the political spectrum) which is why engaging in a debate should be about dialogue, communication, answers and questions. If you already know you're right about everything you should be a politician, not someone involved in a debate.
Well, I can change my beliefs like I change my socks, but I get your point. I like coming on here 'cos everyone else is more than happy to question my beliefs for me. :thumb:
Oh, and cheers for your post Jim, I like this bit especially :yes: -
Thanks.
Surely there the last people we want as politicians.... Anyway sounds more like academics...
I can be very stubborn sometimes, too stubborn, but things on here have opened my eyes to other viewpoints, and I aren't as sure as I was four years ago as to what I think.
Maybe I'm just not young enough to know everything anymore:D