Debate Forum - Writers Forum

Banana_Brother · 04-03-2005, 09:32 AM

A serious debate forum would be nice in this forum. It would also be some good practice for the writers debating. I personally, like to debate... and I find some good arguments in it, and I thought it would be a good idea here because we have more mature members.

Just a suggestion.

valeca · 04-03-2005, 10:36 AM

Sadly, as we've seen in the past, it doesn't work most times.

They degenerate into flaming and nasty comments. They tend to spill over into other sections...and end up colouring everything else.

Even with mature people who know how to debate, there are the ones who just like to stir things up, thinking they're being funny. Odd how they don't realize people aren't laughing with them...but at them.

Ilan Bouchard · 04-03-2005, 11:17 AM

'Tis a shame, as I believe it'd be great. It's been suggested multiple times in the past, but people are too emotional. It makes us great writers, but lousy debaters.

Pendulum · 04-03-2005, 11:44 AM

Did you see the thread on the pope? I don't think WF is ready for a debating section.

Bhauger · 04-03-2005, 12:30 PM

I agree, Banana, a debate forum would be a great deal of fun.

**Penelope** · 04-03-2005, 01:36 PM

I agree as well and the issue is currently raised with other mentors and moderators. Some members here need to be schooled in debate etiquette and the skills required to focus on rationale rather than pettiness and piques. To date, we have concurrence on developing a forum for debate. All that is required now is patience.

**Penelope** · 04-03-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendulum

Did you see the thread on the pope? I don't think WF is ready for a debating section.

In my opinion, that wasn't debate and I don't believe it was intended to be one either.

Londongrey · 04-03-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penelope

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendulum

Did you see the thread on the pope? I don't think WF is ready for a debating section.

In my opinion, that wasn't debate and I don't believe it was intended to be one either.

Pen is totally right, it was never meant to be a debate but a cheap pot shot at certain members.

I don't think there is room for a debate forum. Like Pen said, patience is required before one could be properly formulated and moderated.

Bhauger · 04-03-2005, 04:17 PM

That's right, Londongrey. I made it specifically for you and Rico.

Banana_Brother · 04-03-2005, 04:22 PM

Good to hear that people are interested in a Debate Forum. I know that we could have to wait a long time for it, or we don't even get one, but it's worth the try to suggest it.

And sorry, if it's been suggested before, and I brought up the subject again.

Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor · 04-03-2005, 04:24 PM

We are ready for a debating section. The thread on the Pope doesn't prove that we aren't - some people just can't see past the Pope's facade. Those who felt the need to criticize the Pope shouldn't be punished for being ahead of their time.

Londongrey · 04-03-2005, 04:26 PM

The only way I can see a workable solution would be to have a limited forum. In which ideas for debates are PM'd to someone who overlooks it postsa the debate topics, then there is a set time for a debate, after which it is locked for viewing. Say, 48 hours for each topic to be debated, and off-topic comments would automatically be deleted following the specific guidelines in place for the forum.

That means there would be a group of people, moderators or mentors, who acted as 'Speakers of the House'' so to speak. Democratic with set rules.

Pendulum · 04-03-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penelope

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendulum

Did you see the thread on the pope? I don't think WF is ready for a debating section.

In my opinion, that wasn't debate and I don't believe it was intended to be one either.

I'm not saying that it was a debate, I'm just saying that I believe that is likely to be the way a debate would go. I could be wrong, of course, and I'm not opposed to the idea. I just think that a debate forum could form rivalries and distastes that would not be a good thing for this forum. People's opinions could leak into other sections of the forums, and by that I mean that people could get reputations which would follow them around. Just my views.

Londongrey · 04-03-2005, 04:31 PM

I think that is why it would be good to first have an impartial party select the item for debate. i.e. no debates on religion etc. Up-to-date news threads would be good, as then it would become informative on peoples views on current events.

Banana_Brother · 04-03-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londongrey

The only way I can see a workable solution would be to have a limited forum. In which ideas for debates are PM'd to someone who overlooks it postsa the debate topics, then there is a set time for a debate, after which it is locked for viewing. Say, 48 hours for each topic to be debated, and off-topic comments would automatically be deleted following the specific guidelines in place for the forum.

That means there would be a group of people, moderators or mentors, who acted as 'Speakers of the House'' so to speak. Democratic with set rules.

I disagree with that idea,

I've been in forums with debates, and they don't get out of hand at all... and they are younger people you see. And, if we locked them we wouldn't get much debate, in forums with debates, I've seen them reach hundreds of pages over the weeks. Although we are older... most of us at least, it might get more serious and out of hand... so it contradicts.