Civil Debate

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by casstony

My wife tells me men seek solitary hobbies, such as peering at little things through telescopes, due to their lesser social skills than women. (she's half joking, but only half). So maybe it's no surprise that we act like children at times. It's a good thing we have moderators here to smack our bottoms

If women have "more social skills" than men, I am yet to see it. I've seen chook fights you'd call the RSPCA to moderate

However, I suspect many of the other posts made in this thread point to the answer. People act largely in self interest and struggle with seeing the "big picture"... which is why I do astronomy. Ain't no bigger picture and when I see how pathetically insignificant this rock is on the grand scale...

Maybe others in our hobby should think about it before winding these off-topic discussions up.

[taminga16 (Greg)]

el draco

'Half Joking?'

Which half Rom?

Greg.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Okay, we'd all get on much nicer if we all used the following phrases to express or decode our true feelings:

“Dear esteemed colleague” = You flaming goose.

“Perhaps I misunderstood” = You write gibberish. It’s so incoherent you must be an idiot.

“If you had read my original post…” = You moron, you can’t even read.

“… I think you would understand my point.” = Sheesh, you can’t even follow an argument.

“I respect your opinion.” = You might be retarded but I’m still a nice guy. I'll only patronize you a little bit.

“Actually, I have professional experience in this field.” = By the way, I’m important…

“I actually studied this.” = And I’m clever.

“I know because I repeatedly visit many countries.” = And I’m rich. Nyah nyah na nyah nyah…

Love you all. (= This crowd looks dangerous.)



Brian.

[GrahamL]

If women have "more social skills" than men, I am yet to see it

OK .. so where are the girls in all these chest thumping examples
of social skills .. For me they sure Don't pop up to often
with good reason

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

And of course, most important of all:

"You moron" = Gosh, I wasn't prepared for that. That fellow's argument was actually pretty good. In fact, I find it strangely compelling. I might have to rethink my long-held opposition. But hang on, that will involve effort. And besides, my pride is at stake. Damn it all, I'd better make all my arguments ad hominem from here on in and hope nobody notices that I'm not being very clever...

[marki]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

And of course, most important of all:

"You moron" = Gosh, I wasn't prepared for that. That fellow's argument was actually pretty good.

None of us know how raw his wounds are or the circumstances of his loss. It is very hard to be objective when you are hurting. This is probably a spin on this debate that needs to be well and trully buried.

Mark

[Esseth (Alan)]

For passion vs against passion = ad hominem arguments.

Hence why i am walking down the skeptic path of let the science speak and don't let personal feelings impose. I used to believe in a number of things before i discovered that they were woo.

Arguments that science can't win i generally stick out of, or only state that it is my personal opinion... but when you go down the road of intelligent design in schools or the anti-vax movement you better batton the hatches.

[marki]

Originally Posted by Esseth

Arguments that science can't win i generally stick out of, or only state that it is my personal opinion... but when you go down the road of intelligent design in schools or the anti-vax movement you better batton the hatches.

I would love to see you argue this one and win in the bible belts of America . Debates are rarely conclusive, each side has its own polarised view and will not be swayed. Thats the whole point really....to have your opinion heard not to expect the total submission of your opponent.

Mark

[Esseth (Alan)]

Originally Posted by marki

I would love to see you argue this one and win in the bible belts of America . Debates are rarely conclusive, each side has its own polarised view and will not be swayed. Thats the whole point really....to have your opinion heard not to expect the total submission of your opponent.

Mark

You are right in the regard that arguments are rarely swayed in public forums and debates, because the people that go are going with the idea they are right. But when they end up at court where there is rules of evidence, thats where science rules.

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Its amazing but even this post about civil debate is starting to show the signs of getting out of hand just a bit of to and fro starting to creep in come on lets get together

[TrevorW]

Warren would you care to debate that

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Warren would you care to debate that

Nice one Trevor

[marki]

keep it civil please.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Originally Posted by marki

None of us know how raw his wounds are or the circumstances of his loss. It is very hard to be objective when you are hurting. This is probably a spin on this debate that needs to be well and trully buried.

Mark

????

[marki]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

????

Part of the original locked thread that got this one started, take a look see .

Mark