What are the rules of debate here?

[cfg83]

Christ -

Originally Posted by Christ

...

You lose credibility, especially in places like EM, where facts and data come before feelings and whodunnit.

...

That's the magic word I was searching for. Even if the correction is valid, if the subtext of the post is that the other person is stupid and/or not idealogically aligned with oneself, then I think credibility is lost. My information may be sound but I am "tainting" the information by showing a lack of respect for other members of the forum.

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

I'm sorry, I know I'm guilty of some of that, but some of these "dreamer" and scammer types are so out there and/or willfully ignorant that I have no remorse for figuratively slapping them upside the head. No, wait, I guess that makes me not sorry.

[Piwoslaw]

If someone just says "It ain't gonna work", then I can ignore that user. This may bring the forum's level down a bit, but it is mostly harmless.

It's totally different if someone disagrees by picking a fight, saying I have such-and-such political views and that is one of the reasons why humanity is degrading. Geez

Many of the ugly discussions here were started and/or continued by otherwise helpful users, so this doesn't make banning them easy. Of course, if someone goes too far, then they shouldn't be allowed to continue. Then those users will start whining about freedom of speech, etc.

Frank, your hitting on spammers and scammers is something we just might forgive

[smokey442]

Good manners are always fashionable.

[Christ]

Darren, Carlos, and other mods here, if this is not acceptable, feel free to remove it and PM me to let me know!

The number one rule in my system of morality, which applies to literally everything you'll ever do in your life consists of but 4 words:

Don't be an asshole.

That simple. If everyone followed that simple rule while debating, driving, interacting in general, we'd all be a whole lot better off for it. Just don't. It doesn't help anyone, and when you release rationality and logic in favor of insult hurling and that kind, you aren't helping anything but your own mind... which clearly needs "other" help if you insist on repeatedly steering away from the rule.

[ecomodded]

That's good advice Christ, I know my part, in needing to be less pushy with my views and more respectful to others outlook/input if it does not jive with my view, as blessed as it is :-)

[Christ]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

That's good advice Christ, I know my part, in needing to be less pushy with my views and more respectful to others outlook/input if it does not jive with my view, as blessed as it is :-)

It's OK to push your views, but equality suggests that you be equally willing to evaluate (not necessarily accept) the views of others with the same fervor.

[user removed]

I've written at least 6 replies to this thread, and deleted every one of them. When I proof read them they just didn't come out as expressing what I really wanted to say.

I guess when it comes to the point where I have to wade through piles of rubbish for a tidbit of wisdom, I'll just go somewhere else.

regards
Mech

[SentraSE-R]

I think it's interesting that the most non-civil offenders aren't defending themselves in this thread, and aren't participating in it.

[Christ]

Logically thinking, defense of one's actions means acknowledging them in the first place. The average offender of this type doesn't seem to actually think about what they're doing before, during, or after commission, even sometimes after it's been pointed out.