Does debating online bring out the worst in people?
Read some of the arguments posted on this site. Focus on how people treat/talk to each other. Does it seem polite? Mature? Well thought out? Reasoned and/or reasonable? Substantiated? Petty? Bitchy? Rude? Foul mouthed? Sarcastic?
The proof is in the pudding.
Side Score: 9
|
 |
Wait..., what? No!!!
Side Score: 25
|
|
|
|
|
2
points
I think it is a automatic and natural response of online communities to self-curate. People come to a site like this to debate and argue using facts and reason. When someone comes along to simply validate their own opinions and doesn't try to back them up with any solid justifications, which runs counter to the community's values, the community will respond by trying to push that person out using ridicule, belittlement and ostracism. The person will respond by either adopting the community's values or leaving. Without this kind of "self-curation" I fear that sites like these would slowly become opinions polls and arguments would be dominated by quotes of scripture and personal anecdotes (not that there isn't and inordinate amount of these arguments already). In an ideal world, we would send thoughtful criticism and helpful advice to all debate-challenged individuals that happen upon this site. I do see the community make this effort in some instances when the recipient appears to be making a real effort to be open minded, but in the other cases the person is often incapable of receiving criticism and unwilling to challenge their assumptions. I don't think it is fair to ask the community to treat with respect the people who come to the site for self-validation instead of contributing to a meaningful conversation. Side: Wait..., what? No!!!
1
point
debating online does bring out the worst in people. you can't see the person you are 'listening' or 'talking' to, which can make it hard to understand, respect and empathise. there are no concerns from someone screaming insults at a rock, for that may as well be what youre talking to for its human value at times. on top of that you can get away with anything online with few consequences, which largely removes the barrier to insults and douchebaggery. power and misunderstanding creates the worst in people. step on an ant and you will be proclaimed a murderer regardless of what you see. and yes, occasionally there is some bitching, insults, name-calling and narcissistic bigoting contests. but generally i see most people tolerating each other and being polite enough. Side: The proof is in the pudding.
1
point
Whenever anyone is online, they lose much of the ability to censor their words. There have been a couple studies about handwriting, and how writing things down forces the brain to think about what it's writing and how it will affect others, a process that does not occur when typing. As such, any internet space will led to harsher discussions. Whether or not that is people showing their 'true colors' or simply causing people who are perfectly good people to speak with less thought and care, I don't know for sure. But people will certainly be harsher/ruder to an invisible internet user than they would when talking to a real person in a real debate. Side: The proof is in the pudding.
1
point
|
2
points
1
point
What sort of a stupid question is that? Au contraire,of course it doesn't you fool. It's just that there are so many idiots whose opinion doesn't agree with mine and it is therefore necessary to lambaste the buffoons with insults in the hope that they'll recognize that my viewpoint is always correct. Now, what's wrong with that? Side: Wait..., what? No!!!
Depends on the person. I think debating is a creative outlet for myself to express my opinions and discover my opinions about topics ive never thought about wherein the debates can inspire critical thinking and rhetoric skills. Since i dont come here to belittle people, no , i think debating can be used to inspire higher level thinking if the individual puts it to good use. Side: Wait..., what? No!!!
|
