Seriously, "your argument is invalid 'cause you're stupid/mean!" is never constructive to a debate, nor is it a good way to refute somebody else's point. I see far too many personal attacks on here, and I'm sick of it-- way to perpetuate the stereotype that aspies are rude and immature, guys.
I can't force anything, obviously, but I really wish that when arguing we could all just stick to criticizing
ideas and
theories rather than the character or intelligence of the people espousing them. I know I'm going to try my best to do this from now on, because it is not fun to have to read through 7 pages of insults being slung back and forth to get to any relevant commentary or interesting debate on a thread.
And if anyone is somehow offended by this and wants to stick up for personal attacks as a valid, rational method of discourse, have at it. Just don't do it by telling me my opinion doesn't count 'cause I'm stupid or mean.
I don't really see this go on very much.
Then again, I'm fairly oblivious to most things, so yeah.
I don't really see this go on very much.
Then again, I'm fairly oblivious to most things, so yeah.
I don't see it every time I'm on here, but I still see it too much. I agree with Twists and Twirls- it's not merely non-condusive, it can totally destroy any semblance of an actual discusion taking place on a thread.
I had to stop visiting a certain thread I myself started because someone there began making personal attacks on me & I knew if I just ignored them the thread could, maybe, get back to the discussion it had been on. These attacks included accusing me of stating that the other person had no mentally disabled friends and was therefore conditionist- I never said any such thing.
It's best, in a discussion, for us to make our points based on logic. Emotions need to be involved, sometimes, in topics concerning morals and ethics, as well as other topics, but it is totally pointless to make personal attacks as part of an argument.
I suggest to everyone, that if someone does make a personal attack on you, you don't respond at all. There's no point- it just makes the situation dissolve into flaming.
. . .
I really wish that when arguing we could all just stick to criticizing ideas and theories rather than the character or intelligence of the people espousing them. I know I'm going to try my best to do this from now on, because it is not fun to have to read through 7 pages of insults being slung back and forth to get to any relevant commentary or interesting debate on a thread.
Well said.
I really like debate, and I'm really uncomfortable with confrontation. Perhaps some clues on having both are needed.
I'm beginning to conclude people LIKE to fight. Seems like most the time when I click on a thread out of curiosity simply because it has a huge number of replies, it is a fight going on.
I haven't gone so far as to write "stupid" or "mean' or anything... course maybe I forgot if I did. I feel a little addicted to settling a debate or hash off sometimes. Looseing just makes me feel inferior somehow, or it sticks to my mind. True though, it should be settled without irrational name calling. :| And I guess maybe I do like fighting, but in other ways don't like it.