Delphiki
Smash Champion
In all the time I've been coming to the Debate Hall, very few threads have managed to hold my interest very long. They're all the same thing: Person A makes a point, only to be refuted by persons B, C, and D, and supported by E, F, and G. In the end, everyone sets out their opinions and supporting facts, and nothing is settled and nothing is gained at the edge of the day.
Furthermore, there have been next to zero original topics. Many of the topics explicitly state that the idea came from elsewhere. Then Person A proceeds to give and ask for stances on it. Moreover, Debaters have a "win-or-lose" attitude in regards to everything here. It's games-mania, not a place for free thought.
Case in point.
Some of you who have been here for a while may remember the posting of some of my essays a few months ago. For posting essays full of original thought (which were NOT intended really for debate, but for input, criticism, and speculation) I was flamed, insulted, and I even got an infraction because I posted one of them both here and in the Pool Room.
Summarily, food for thought was ignored or rejected (there was very little receptive commentary) because everyone seemed to want an argument instead.
Continuing, there is too much focus on semantics. Definitions abound! Is it impossible for a debate to focus on generalizations? Again, it seems you'd rather destroy your opponent's credibility than cripple his idea! And this, even, usually through subterfuge and politics rather than through destruction. I find it simply pitiful.
This Debate Hall ostensibly provides a place for the intelligentsia of SWF to convene and discuss ideas. However, it does NOT gather the best minds, it does NOT have a strong enlistment criteria, and IT DOES NOT PROMOTE THE PROVOCATION OF THOUGHT. Such an organization to me is despicable and rarely worth time. The way I see it, this place is boring and dead for a very good reason. There are better threads in the Rubbish Bin.
So, my question:
Should the "Debate Hall" continue as it has so far - semantic babbling, political rhetoric, lame debates and an overall feigned aggressiveness of opinion - all for the goal (and what kind of a goal is an action!) of debate!
Or, should the Debate Hall be renamed and renewed. Instead have us a place for intellect! For the love of knowledge to create a wonderful spawn-pit of ideas and refutation. No politics! only true thought. A place free of the rabble and babble, where one can come not only to discuss, but to advise and seek answers! A place of true value where one can return to again and again, sure to find enjoyment!
Which of them is the better, Debaters?
Furthermore, there have been next to zero original topics. Many of the topics explicitly state that the idea came from elsewhere. Then Person A proceeds to give and ask for stances on it. Moreover, Debaters have a "win-or-lose" attitude in regards to everything here. It's games-mania, not a place for free thought.
Case in point.
Some of you who have been here for a while may remember the posting of some of my essays a few months ago. For posting essays full of original thought (which were NOT intended really for debate, but for input, criticism, and speculation) I was flamed, insulted, and I even got an infraction because I posted one of them both here and in the Pool Room.
Summarily, food for thought was ignored or rejected (there was very little receptive commentary) because everyone seemed to want an argument instead.
Continuing, there is too much focus on semantics. Definitions abound! Is it impossible for a debate to focus on generalizations? Again, it seems you'd rather destroy your opponent's credibility than cripple his idea! And this, even, usually through subterfuge and politics rather than through destruction. I find it simply pitiful.
This Debate Hall ostensibly provides a place for the intelligentsia of SWF to convene and discuss ideas. However, it does NOT gather the best minds, it does NOT have a strong enlistment criteria, and IT DOES NOT PROMOTE THE PROVOCATION OF THOUGHT. Such an organization to me is despicable and rarely worth time. The way I see it, this place is boring and dead for a very good reason. There are better threads in the Rubbish Bin.
So, my question:
Should the "Debate Hall" continue as it has so far - semantic babbling, political rhetoric, lame debates and an overall feigned aggressiveness of opinion - all for the goal (and what kind of a goal is an action!) of debate!
Or, should the Debate Hall be renamed and renewed. Instead have us a place for intellect! For the love of knowledge to create a wonderful spawn-pit of ideas and refutation. No politics! only true thought. A place free of the rabble and babble, where one can come not only to discuss, but to advise and seek answers! A place of true value where one can return to again and again, sure to find enjoyment!
Which of them is the better, Debaters?