# Is argument becoming impossible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 31, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843 "2015-12-31T19:11:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843/41 "2016-01-08T04:05:05Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > One of the problems is people are to quick to demand proof, where is the evidence they shout, there seems to be a reluctance to run with a line of thought and see how it develops, if we always stick to the facts we never find anything new you just keep going over old ground Nonsense. Sticking to fact is the backbone of empiricism, science, and rational thinking. Without evidence-based approaches you would not have a computer to type on, let alone an internet with which to communicate. And I for one have no issues with a lurker, or with someone with only a few posts. I have given up any hope, however, that **Helpful** will ever return to this thread. ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843/42 "2016-01-08T09:49:33Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Nonsense. Sticking to fact is the backbone of empiricism, science, and rational thinking. Without evidence-based approaches you would not have a computer to type on, let alone an internet with which to communicate. > > And I for one have no issues with a lurker, or with someone with only a few posts. I have given up any hope, however, that **Helpful** will ever return to this thread. The problem is not all (knowledge) comes through a documented source, it could have come from a conversation or a series of conversations 20-30 years ago. Because I have no proof of a conversation am I supposed to keep it to myself, I think it is far better to bring a line of thought to the table so others may give it some thought. I am a protestant and a small group of us spent a day with a Roman Catholic monk the exchange of idea’s gave us an idea into the development of our individual faiths and we ALL learnt from the experience. Conversations can open many avenues of thought worth exploring. A great source of wisdom that is denied to any board is that of great thinkers who can neither read or write and have gained their wisdom through conversation I hope that helpful will return I hope that Helpful will return ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843/43 "2016-01-08T12:24:07Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, it isn’t. I can’t believe it took 26 posts to get to this. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843/44 "2016-01-08T13:45:48Z")
> [@Helpful](#): > > Sorry about the vagueness. > I was trying to get at what **NeonMadman** was saying, but harsher. Like, if you think your way is better, you have a _duty_ to tell other people. Why let them suffer? To do any less would be irresponsible, depending on the circumstances. Oh, Jeebus, another fuckin’ evangelist! Mitt Romney was certain the French needed conversion to Mormonism. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843/45 "2016-01-08T17:44:32Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > The problem is not all (knowledge) comes through a documented source, it could have come from a conversation or a series of conversations 20-30 years ago. Because I have no proof of a conversation am I supposed to keep it to myself, I think it is far better to bring a line of thought to the table so others may give it some thought. I am a protestant and a small group of us spent a day with a Roman Catholic monk the exchange of idea’s gave us an idea into the development of our individual faiths and we ALL learnt from the experience. Conversations can open many avenues of thought worth exploring. A great source of wisdom that is denied to any board is that of great thinkers who can neither read or write and have gained their wisdom through conversation > > I hope that helpful will return > I hope that Helpful will return It would not be helpful ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843/46 "2016-01-08T17:47:22Z")
A lot of threads have trolly people nitpicking an “opposition” whose argument they are trying to ignore, while jabbing. That is not a duel of science and intuition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-argument-becoming-impossible/741843.md?page=2)