A debate about debates!

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Sometimes people will say they don't like the debates on this board because they think they will never change anyone's mind, but is that always the point? Isn't it just fun and interesting to have a conversation with no unrealistic expectation of converting people to your point of view?

Aren't there topics that you know you never will change your mind about but it's still fun to talk about?

Like spanking. I know darned well I'll never see the point in it, and I feel fairly certain I couldn't sway the spankers, but it's still an interesting converation. Don't you think?

 

[grinningghost]

You're absolutely right.

Although it does get dull when two people are going at each other for hours, repeating their case ad nauseum, and nothing changes.

If you're going to debate and stick to your guns, please find unique ways to state your case in each post - otherwise it gets kinda ho hum.

 

[snoopy]

I'm 42 years old, there is no way I am going to change my mind about any major issue. I'm pretty set in my ways, as are most people once they pass the age of 30 or so.

I still find it interesting reading other people's viewpoints, at least most of the time.

 

[bajanswife]

I love debates! Not because I'm on a crusade to change anyone's mind, but because we learn a lot by talking to people who have different ideas. Your viewpoint might not change my mind, but you might explain it to me in a way that gives me new insight into why some people feel the way you do, and maybe I'll respect your viewpoint more even if I still don't agree with it (and vice versa).

Also, you may tell me things I hadn't realized before, and while those things still might not change my mind, knowledge is good.

So, I do like honest discussion between people of opposing views. It's nice when people can do it respectfully, but really, my skin isn't that thin, so I can handle a little heat too!

 

[Patch'sD]

I enjoy the debates and have not been swayed, but have come to respect some peoples opnions. However I hate when the debater tries to ridicule somebody with Smilies or must qoute the entire post in their post. I also see no reason to get nasty.

 

[Kermit]

When I actually debate something, I don't really think I'll change the mind of the person with whom I'm debating. I do hope that some undecided person will be reading the thread and possibly decide to choose my position, or at least become a little more open toward it.

I do stay out of the political threads because people are less likely to change their minds about politics.

 

[Marseeya]

I love debates.

There are some subjects where my mind will not be changed, but a well-presented argument will give me a deeper understanding of it. I have been swayed in some instances, too.

 

[bajanswife]

I do stay out of the political threads because people are less likely to change their minds about politics.

I do too, but more because I just don't know enough about American politics. I find it difficult to debate a subject that I don't know a lot about, because then I can't adequately support my position.

 

[mick67]

I love debates.

There are some subjects where my mind will not be changed, but a well-presented argument will give me a deeper understanding of it. I have been swayed in some instances, too.

I'm with Marseeya on this one. I enjoy the debates because many times I learn something, or get a POV I hadn't thought about. I don't enter debates to sway opinion. I do it to hopefully learn something and have a healthy discussion.

And I have changed my mind on some things and softened my attitude on others. Even if my opinion doesn't change, it's beneficial to see a reasonable POV from the other side.

 

[tubaman]

Yay debates!

 

[Aidensmom]

You're absolutely right.

Although it does get dull when two people are going at each other for hours, repeating their case ad nauseum, and nothing changes.

If you're going to debate and stick to your guns, please find unique ways to state your case in each post - otherwise it gets kinda ho hum.

I agree. I love debates. But when they disinegrate into nothing but insults or two people going back and forth saying nothing, it is time for the thread to die (like my 3 month old Spanking thread. ). When it gets to that point, no one is going to have any influence on anyone's decision.

 

[mick67]

I agree. I love debates. But when they disinegrate into nothing but insults or two people going back and forth saying nothing, it is time for the thread to die (like my 3 month old Spanking thread. ). When it gets to that point, no one is going to have any influence on anyone's decision.

I wish one of my threads would hang around for three months (even if it is drivel)! Isn't there a certain satisfaction in people responding to your threads?

 

[Aidensmom]

I wish one of my threads would hang around for three months (even if it is drivel)! Isn't there a certain satisfaction in people responding to your threads?

Well, it actually died 2-1/2 months ago, a brand new poster revived it yesterday.

 

[va32h]

I enjoy debating in general. I have changed my mind about topics in the past, and I have changed a few minds with my own arguments.

On message boards, it is frustrating sometimes, because no matter how reasoned or logical your position seems to you - you can't really make the people in cyberspace read it. At least with a face-to-face debate, you know you've been heard.

I think that too often "debate" is considered the same as "argument" or "fight". A debate is (or ought to be) a reasoned exchange of ideas, whereas a fight is simply yelling and namecalling.

 

[Sparx]

I <3 teh debates.

 

[Free4Life11]

Sometimes people will say they don't like the debates on this board because they think they will never change anyone's mind, but is that always the point? Isn't it just fun and interesting to have a conversation with no unrealistic expectation of converting people to your point of view?

Aren't there topics that you know you never will change your mind about but it's still fun to talk about?

Like spanking. I know darned well I'll never see the point in it, and I feel fairly certain I couldn't sway the spankers, but it's still an interesting converation. Don't you think?

OMG! I was literally thinking about posting a thread like this with the EXACT same title! Weird....!!

I love debates. I think a lot of people go into debates with the wrong mindset -- that they will change someone's thinking. That's usually NOT the case, I have found.

To me debates are a way to challenge others viewpoints and defend your viewpoints. It's challenging, because a lot of times we think we may know a lot about a topic, when really we know very little. It also keeps you on your toes. Too many people in this country are "for this" and "against this" without actually KNOWING anything about the topic, aside from the talking points they hear from various people. But debating challenges you to go beyond the talking points and actually DO some research.

I enjoy hearing other people's reasoning and views, as ridiculous as I think they may be!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

love to debate and the old debate board
i dont know whats going but its getting crazy around here
it just doesnt seem to be consistent and thats unfortunate

 

[disneychrista]

For me debates are not necessarily about changing yours or someone else's mind but more about learning the other persons view point. Coming to understand why others fell the way they do.

While I can not say that I have had my mind changed back in the debate board days but I have thought "I never thought of it that way before."

What most call "debates" are really fights and flaming.