People who frequent this and similar debate forums have two problems: they’re smart and they have a pathological need to be right. Unfortunately, participating in this world of intellectual contention only feeds the pathology.
One’s soul gets to a point where it needs (with its associated intellect) to embark on synthesis rather than analysis of existence, and where it needs to turn 'round and accept the universe rather than control it.
Many of you know what I’m talking about, but simply can’t shake the addiction to being right and being in control. You realize that the universe is to be gained in the letting go, but you just can’t let go.
So here’s the deal: Do yourself a favor and renounce the debating life. Declare victory and leave. Well, declare surrender and leave. Yin, meet Yang; Yang, this is Yin.
Just let go. Now.
I am, and with apologies to Mr. Miller–
I’m outta here.
(Hell, yes, I’ll peek.)
why ask why you’ll find it by and by these mysteries are just more needles in the camel’s eye -eno
Seriously, I have seen no evidence that what makes me a beautiful and unique snowflake is anything more than bumping neurons. If you have evidence otherwise, please present it. Otherwise, I will giggle as I flush my soul down the commode along with my karma and my aura.
I think I’ve seen this before. 1) Make unsupported assertions 2) Declare how superior you are 3) Say you’ve won the debate 4) Finish by saying “and I’m leaving.”
In every thread, the same scenario plays out wherein each side lists cites and links which either support its position or contradicts the opposition, although I have (infrequently) seen recantations and revisions. More often than not, each side simply parades it’s own carefully chosen facts and arguments in an autonomous effort to show the other guy is wrong.
I haven’t been getting into too many debates lately because I find them frustating and tiresome. The best you can hope for it seems is to reduce each other’s arguments to your core differences, which are then undefendable opinion.
And the vast majority of time you don’t even get that, you just get people taking shots at each other trying to score points.
I used to think debating was a way to learn about other’s points of view, and impart some ideas of your own. I think it was May 1999 I was relieved of that silly little notion.
You’re right of course, but some people’s pathological need to be right manifests itself as an insatiable hunger for truth, rather than the smug delusion that one already posesses it in full measure.
Considering buying a coffin instead of a king-sized bed?
Craving for blood sausage?
Nocturnal? Sunlight bothersome?
If so, send $49.99 to the first televangelist you come across. Press your hand to the screen of the televison when they’re praying for those out there with “afflictions.” Take two asprin, and you should be fine in the morning.
This pretty much sums up my feelings too. I think Neroli’s analysis isn’t unfair to a degree; an awful lot of posts here are almost point-scoring exercises, repeated every few months. That’s not to say every post and every debate is meaningless and empty, but there definitely seems to be a fairly predictable pattern. The number of times I’ve seen posters change their opinions is pretty low (well, none spring to mind right now). I certainly can’t claim to be innocent of it myself, but I don’t post in GD nearly as much as I used to.
Me, I don’t see so much that’s wrong with watching two or more positions being espoused by intelligent people, each trying to one-up the other or point out a fallacy. It’s like, educational and stuff.
Don’t forget that while a small number of posters may take part in a debate, millions (well, dozens at least) of lurkers like myself are reading them. That’s why I love this F**king place- with a mere handful of words, someone will state a case or position that I have been struggling for days or weeks to articulate. Just as frequently, someone will raise a point I was completely ignorant of and, in one blow, demolish ideas I had taken for granted.