The first thing that every person SHOULD read when they go online, as this web pages simple advice can save you so much time, effort, and energy. Heck, if you follow most of this guideline, on the internet as well as in real life, most of you will go very far indeed.
Elitism
Sorry folks, it's everywhere. It always has been, and it always will be. It's in our nature as human beings to have a pecking order to things so we know who's in charge, and who to turn to. At best, it provides a sense of community. At worst, it creates some hurt feelings. My advice, don't spend your time bemoaning the fact that you were rejected by a group you approached if they reject you, as no one likes a whiner.
Miller's Law
Miller's Law (from psychologist George Miller)
"In order to understand what another person is saying, you must assume that it is true, and try to imagine what it could be true of."
So, if someone was to call me an arrogant ass, rather than automatically calling it an attack, a flame, or even spam, as a lot of people who don't spend much time thinking about the true meaning or subject would do, you should assume that it is true, and try to figure out what parts of it are true and how they can be true. There is another word for this, and it is called empathy. Also, btw, the general definition of an ass is a stubborn mule.
How to Debate and Argue 101
Edited slightly so it wouldn't have as many curse words as it originally had
Most of you don't know how to argue. You throw phrases around like "why don't you use some logic?" And when you're not cheapening the meaning of the word "logic," hardly any of you back up anything you say with facts, or even basic inductive reasoning.
Then there are the "screw you" type of people who basically go out of their way to be as big of a jerk as possible to impress(?) those around you. Wow, you can be a jerk to people without a good reason. I'm impressed.
Something you should know at the outset of every argument is the point you are trying to make; this is your thesis. Express it clearly, because if anyone has to ask "what's your point?" then you have probably lost the debate. Support your thesis with arguments. The moment you change your thesis, you have lost. Concede to it and move on.
There are three concepts many of you obviously don't understand about arguing. I will explain:
1. An argument's premise (the proposition, or claim you are making) does not have to be true in order for the argument to be valid.
2. An argument is valid if the premise and conclusion are related to each other such that if the premise were true, the conclusion would be true as well.
3. An argument is sound only if it is valid, and all the premises are true.
These three rules are very powerful, and will help you become better rhetorical writers if you adhere to them.
Next time you say something--anything--see if it follows this form. Does it have a premise and a conclusion? If the premise were true, would the conclusion follow? Is the premise true? Do you have proof or some reasoning for why the premise is true?
I'm tired of seeing idiots go around the board saying "that's an invalid argument" when what they really mean to say is it's an "unsound" argument. It's more than just semantics here, you really need to know the difference, otherwise you will be considered a sloppy debater at best.
Just because someone makes a false claim doesn't mean their argument is structurally invalid. Get it through your head.
Finally, many of you don't know how to spot a fallacious argument. Many of you are culprits of hypothesis contrary to fact, poisoning the well, and appealing to anonymous authority.
Here is an excellent source I've been giving out to people for a while now:
The differences between flaming, flame baiting, and trolling
A flame by it's definition as internet lingo means a personally offensive comment. If I was to say that I liked NIN, and then someone said that both NIN and the people who listened to it sucked, this would be a flame. Now, what separates a flame from flame bait you ask? I'll give you a good example based on something I posted in an earlier thread.
Oh, and like Sen said, please don't call me a fascist.
Then stop spewing fascist ideologies.
This is the perfect example of flame baiting. Now a flame is an attack on a person or an idea. A flame bait is usually a simple statement or question which shows the obvious fallacies of either a persons statement, or the point of their statement. It is not a flame as it is not an attack, but rather a simple observation, a question, or a general statement. Trolls hate flame bait, as they're a lure which usually shows said person to either be a troll, or someone who is wrong (and few people like being wrong, regardless). Now, a troll is someone who goes out to purposely start trouble online. The majority of internet trolling is seen in the form of personal attacks. A much, much, much rarer form of trolling is the troll who uses inane statements and observations. The reason why these types of trolls are so rare is because they, unlike most other trolls, use their brains when trolling.
THE INTERNET IS VERY SERIOUS BUISNESS!
And finally, perhaps one of the best things I learned early on when I started using the internet is to never ever take things too seriously. I mean come on, wtf does it matter? Seriously. Ask yourself that.
So, which of these advice tips are new to you? What advice do you want to give?
And finally, perhaps one of the best things I learned early on when I started using the internet is to never ever take things too seriously. I mean come on, wtf does it matter? Seriously. Ask yourself that.
I'm pretty sure this rule is completely ignored. I've seem so many people get upset on the internet it's not funny. The rest is right on the money.
This is the reason why they normally have a block/ignore option. Don't like them? Block them, it's a simple yet effective solution.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." - Harvey Milk, from a tape that was to be played only after his assassination.
"Kids don't beat me, I beat kids!" - Homer
"Serve no master but your ambition." - Illyria
"The best government is the government that is powerlessly afraid of overstepping it's bounds." - Denver'D
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The first thing that every person SHOULD read when they go online, as this web pages simple advice can save you so much time, effort, and energy. Heck, if you follow most of this guideline, on the internet as well as in real life, most of you will go very far indeed.
Elitism
Sorry folks, it's everywhere. It always has been, and it always will be. It's in our nature as human beings to have a pecking order to things so we know who's in charge, and who to turn to. At best, it provides a sense of community. At worst, it creates some hurt feelings. My advice, don't spend your time bemoaning the fact that you were rejected by a group you approached if they reject you, as no one likes a whiner.
Miller's Law
So, if someone was to call me an arrogant ass, rather than automatically calling it an attack, a flame, or even spam, as a lot of people who don't spend much time thinking about the true meaning or subject would do, you should assume that it is true, and try to figure out what parts of it are true and how they can be true. There is another word for this, and it is called empathy. Also, btw, the general definition of an ass is a stubborn mule.
How to Debate and Argue 101
Edited slightly so it wouldn't have as many curse words as it originally had
The differences between flaming, flame baiting, and trolling
A flame by it's definition as internet lingo means a personally offensive comment. If I was to say that I liked NIN, and then someone said that both NIN and the people who listened to it sucked, this would be a flame. Now, what separates a flame from flame bait you ask? I'll give you a good example based on something I posted in an earlier thread.
This is the perfect example of flame baiting. Now a flame is an attack on a person or an idea. A flame bait is usually a simple statement or question which shows the obvious fallacies of either a persons statement, or the point of their statement. It is not a flame as it is not an attack, but rather a simple observation, a question, or a general statement. Trolls hate flame bait, as they're a lure which usually shows said person to either be a troll, or someone who is wrong (and few people like being wrong, regardless). Now, a troll is someone who goes out to purposely start trouble online. The majority of internet trolling is seen in the form of personal attacks. A much, much, much rarer form of trolling is the troll who uses inane statements and observations. The reason why these types of trolls are so rare is because they, unlike most other trolls, use their brains when trolling.
THE INTERNET IS VERY SERIOUS BUISNESS!
And finally, perhaps one of the best things I learned early on when I started using the internet is to never ever take things too seriously. I mean come on, wtf does it matter? Seriously. Ask yourself that.
So, which of these advice tips are new to you? What advice do you want to give?
#2. Dungeon Keeper Ami; Proving that sometimes the best Villians are the ones who used to be Heros.
#3. Ow, My Sanity: There are things man was not meant to love.
"Kids don't beat me, I beat kids!" - Homer
"Serve no master but your ambition." - Illyria
"The best government is the government that is powerlessly afraid of overstepping it's bounds." - Denver'D