I thought about making this thread. Then Mockingbird made his thread, and I hesitated to make it because I didn't want to steal his thread's thunder. His thread is so poetic, and should be what this forum goes out on. But all the same...
A lot of people will look at a Debate forum on the internet, and ask why? Granted, most debate forums on the internet are not as well-modded as ours by a long shot. As we've seen, presidential debates are not as well-modded as our forum. We're very fortunate to be as atypical as we are.
But all the same, many people would look at this forum and ask, "Why?" Why would you want to participate in such a thing? And, to be fair, they have a point. Most of us don't want to get into arguments with people. This thread is all about getting into arguments with people. So why do we do it?
Reflecting on this question, I found it interesting in that my response to such a question would be that I would never not want to participate in such a forum. That this was most interesting to me. That even when the forum pissed me off, I would want to keep coming back. But once again, why?
Because debate, at least when done correctly, isn't simply an argument. It's a forum (not in the internet usage of the word) for refining ideas and advancing society as a whole. Granted, debates on a hobby website aren't likely to make sweeping changes to public opinion on a subject, but changing one person's mind is still a step along societal evolution, even if it's a small one.
I was here for self-reflection and personal growth. Everybody talks about how society has moved into bubbles, and I am no exception. This was a place for me to evaluate my stances, temper my believes, and be reminded that just because I don't agree with everyone doesn't make those that I disagree with monsters. In the end, I feel like these debates helped me to have a more mature viewpoint about the world.
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Vive, vale. Siquid novisti rectius istis,
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
~~~~~
I was here for self-reflection and personal growth. Everybody talks about how society has moved into bubbles, and I am no exception. This was a place for me to evaluate my stances, temper my believes, and be reminded that just because I don't agree with everyone doesn't make those that I disagree with monsters. In the end, I feel like these debates helped me to have a more mature viewpoint about the world.
I feel like this is a very good reflection of my own experience.
I thought this forum was a good place to practice and refine my positions.
I was here to read Blinking Spirit's posts. I have learned a great deal about a wide range of subjects from him and seem to have even been influenced by his writing style. Blinking Spirit's assiduous explanations first gave me the idea to study philosophy at university, which I now do and love. So we come to Debate because it allows us to learn from the wisdom of people who we will never meet but who might have a positive effect on our lives.
I have genuinely learned a lot from Debate over the years. I came to share my expertise for those willing to listen (basically just on Healthcare), and to learn what's going on in the heads of those who disagree with me on topics and re-evaluate my own opinions.
Why yell at strangers when I can post here and let the strawman come to me? No one in real life proudly displays their political affiliation in their name. Like an MRA, for example.
I was here for self-reflection and personal growth. Everybody talks about how society has moved into bubbles, and I am no exception. This was a place for me to evaluate my stances, temper my believes, and be reminded that just because I don't agree with everyone doesn't make those that I disagree with monsters. In the end, I feel like these debates helped me to have a more mature viewpoint about the world.
because arguing is fun and profitable. In that you learn things, if you're doing it right.
I've been here since before here was here (when it was MTGNews, before whatever caused the great migration happened).
It's good to see you, Verbal. Always good to see a fellow 'Newser. I also remember that Debate forum, although this one shaped up to be a league of its own.
A lot of people will look at a Debate forum on the internet, and ask why? Granted, most debate forums on the internet are not as well-modded as ours by a long shot. As we've seen, presidential debates are not as well-modded as our forum. We're very fortunate to be as atypical as we are.
But all the same, many people would look at this forum and ask, "Why?" Why would you want to participate in such a thing? And, to be fair, they have a point. Most of us don't want to get into arguments with people. This thread is all about getting into arguments with people. So why do we do it?
Reflecting on this question, I found it interesting in that my response to such a question would be that I would never not want to participate in such a forum. That this was most interesting to me. That even when the forum pissed me off, I would want to keep coming back. But once again, why?
Why were we here?
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
(Image by totallynotabrony)
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
~~~~~
because I was one of the only people willing toI mean, because intellectual discussion is one of those fleeting pleasures in life.I feel like this is a very good reflection of my own experience.
I thought this forum was a good place to practice and refine my positions.
RUNIN: Norse mythology set (awaiting further playtesting)
FATE of ALARA: Multicolour factions (currently on hiatus)
Contibutor to the Pyrulea community set
I'm here to tell you that all your set mechanics are bad
#Defundthepolice
I've been here since before here was here (when it was MTGNews, before whatever caused the great migration happened).
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
It's good to see you, Verbal. Always good to see a fellow 'Newser. I also remember that Debate forum, although this one shaped up to be a league of its own.