Hey, you can be as snippy as you wish. I pointed out that there was “no need” for it (imho) in regards to this topic. You asked a question, several of us gave what I considered to be helpful comments. Then, you made a point of informing us you will have to go somewhere else for conversations that meet your assumed level of intellect.
As for the dog anus subject…, can someone let the rest of us in on the joke?
I think the problem with your OP cricetus is that nobody has an idea how you draw the line between debate and discussion. Also whether a thread is a mix of both (which is generally the case, in decent threads). Certainly there are plenty of amiable “debates” in GD that I would probably describe as discussions. Perhaps you could describe what kind of posts you are failing to find.
I made that up. As far as I know, cricetus has no more than a passing interest in dog anuses.
Jeezum crow you’re a humorless, over-sensitive little shit aren’t you. You ask a dumbass question that could have been answered by reading the IMHO description. And, when people try to help you out, you state that IMHO is too trivial and quick moving for your great intellect.
Pretty please.
Damn. I was looking for a good read and instead I’ve been whooshed by a denizen of the African veldt.
I never thought I was being especially snippy. I posted a question about the interest in a new folder for discussions that are sustained and serious but not framed by a pro-con/debate format. I wanted to gauge the interest in such threads. I have seen people scolded in GD for broaching a topic with, “what’s the debate?,” and others posting stuff here and there with disclaimers that they didn’t know where to put it because it was the sort of thread I’m talking about. I’ve also recently talked (on the phone) with another SMDB poster and we both though there should be some kind of non-debate, but serious topic folder. I now know the interest is low and won’t bother broaching topics that don’t fall into any of the categories provided.
Maybe you just aren’t as funny as you think you are.
The IMHO description is ““What’s your favorite …?” For frank exchanges of views on less-than-cosmic topics. This is also the place for polling.” What part of that is supposed to make me think it’s a place for sustained, serious discussion?
Actually, this thread is still relatively young. Others may yet join in with an opinion similar to yours. That’s how several of the other forums were created in the past. I see your point, but I still think IMHO already fits. Sure, it goes up and down in seriousness, but so does every other forum on this board.
Plus, sometimes a subject can fit in several diffent fora depending on how the initial discussion (OP) is worded.
Lastly, what does the average Republican think about a dog’s anus verses what the average Democrat may think?
My topic IS cosmic, though! 
That is entirely possible, which has absolutely no bearing on you being a pompous twit.
I have a five step plan for you:
Now, I fully admit that my plan completely falls apart for you at #4, but no plan is perfect.
What, exactly, have I done to deserve this warm abuse, sweet prince?
I vaguely remember…
::waving hands and chanting Doodilly Doodilly, Doodilly::
Well, I’m sorry I mistook your post as a flyby crapping, but… objectively, if you look at it… to what other conclusion was I to come? It’s not helpful, it’s terse and snarky, and your rapid descent into profanity and personal attacks hardly makes me think you’re really just out to help a young hamster learn the wheels, or have any interest (or perhaps conception) of what a friendly and intelligent dialogue might look like. I so look forward to your contributions to my pending IMHO about Wm. James and phenomenology. Do drop in, your expletive-laden attacks will really get us warmed up and ready to plumb the deaths of radical empiricism.
I know I didn’t insult you, but do you want to answer my post anyway? 
I undestand where Cricetus is coming from. Occasionally there are topics, especially breaking news stories, which do not seem appropriate for MPSIMS or IMHO but aren’t exactly debates or rants either.
Let’s take an event like 9/11, for instance. When that story broke, it sure as hell wasn’t mundane or pointless and nobody knew enough at first to have a HO or a deabte about it and nobody knew who to pit.
I think it’s also true that a lot of people never really go into MPSIMS or IMHO because of all the flirting and recipe threads so if you want to attract attention from the “serious” posters there is a comcern that no one will know that your analysis of Gettysburg is there just begging for educated feedback.
I don’t know if enough such threads could be generated to sustain a separate forum, though.
I guess I’m imagining an online format similar to class discussions or similar discussions I might have with peers, where we express opinions, as questions, and so on without anyone feeling any need to defend themselves, attack their opponents (we’re not opponents) or anything like that. We may explain our positions, of course, but it’s done as a kind of active reflection, not as an argument. instead of shouting “CITE” at each other, we might ask, “where did you read that?” and “I’ll have to look into it,” and so on. I find that I learn more from that format, and my stomach feels better. I should add that I and most of my colleagues are well-read and we form opinions with some rigor.
I guess more simply put, in the debate you try to change the other person’s mind. When I converse seriously, I’m usually trying to change my OWN mind, not in the sense that I switch sides, but in the sense that I want to learn, articulate my thoughts, maybe make mistakes and be corrected without being attacked or having my credibility questioned.
Well, thanks for answering. I see where you are coming from but like DtC said I’m not sure if it would support a full forum. GD can be and is used for this purpose, IMHO (heh). Do a search on threads started by BrainGlutton with “debate” in the title. You’ll find that, despite the titles, many are very much discussions in the sense you describe.
I should also add that with proper framing of the opening post you might get good results in GQ - have you poked around there much?. This, as everywhere in life, depends on the touchiness of the subject matter.
cricetus, I started a thread for you in IMHO.
TV closed it, but I wasn’t trying to make fun of you. . .just trying some good natured ribbing.
I finally get pitted, and its in the wrong folder. 