
Originally Posted by
Kleig
FYI, forum posters, neko and I have hashed this out through PM's and I think we have a good understanding. I have called ppl to the carpet for their actions, but so far only when comments include or are directed at me. I've told neko it isn't my job to call out people who are being rude, illogical, or otherwise using poor debate skills in trying to champion thier ideas. Sometimes I choose to do so, and yes, it would be fair to say that I have a bias to defend those with whom I agree, but have no obligation to forward the ideas that I do not agree with. That is my prerogative.
In the spirit of good-will, here it is, for the record:
When one uses insults like, "noob," "idiot," "brainless," or other value judgments, the assumption by anyone who understands the civil exchange of ideas (debate) is that the sender's argument is somehow lacking, making the message sender feel as if their argument must be bolstered by trying to make their oponent look bad in the eyes of the reader. Basically, saying "you idiot, you're full of poop" is, to someone like me, saying "I'm worried people won't see my point of view, so I'm going to hope they believe, through my insults, that you are not credible, and therefore neither are your ideas."
So, in the interest of helping this debate move along, I suggest that everyone be aware of how posts are written--if the poster is pushing a value judgment, perhaps assume that they don't want you to consider the ideas of those whom they are posting against, but can't come up with a good reason why.
Let's debate ideas, people, not hurl insults and insinuations: they only go to show that you are upset and do nothing to speak to the validity of the idea being discussed.
Furthermore, if you call an idea "stupid," if you do not express a reasonable explanation for your opinion, it is just that: your opinion...carries no weight in a debate.
Nuf said...back to it.
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