Methods of Discussion

[BonosSaint]

It's always fun to see how people discuss topics here (as is everywhere)

1. Coercion--my point of view is the only right point of view,
damn it--often resulting in two conflicting monologues.
2. Fact or source citing as the total answer to a question.
3. Aggressive pouncing on a poster's weakness in logic or
wrong fact in one point as a total invalidation of their entire
post.
4. Persuasion--I can see similarities in our points of view,
but I want to sway you to my point. Gets deeper into
the topic, allows for more exchange of ideas. More
respectful, but it can get a little condescending when
you focus on the flaws in the other person's argument
rather than the strengths of your own.
5. Exchange of ideas discussion, where no particular judgment
is held by either party and the pure point of the discussion
is to show your point of view and understand the other's.
6. Good natured argument, which is kind of a blend of the best
points of 4 and 5 with a little more humor. It gets
interesting to me, because the ideas get more finetuned,
there is more give and take in the argument, more desire
to get to get beyond the semantics and the surface. I tend
to like these arguments best because it appears that both
both parties are pretty secure in their positions and don't
need to be validated or to invalidate. These are the
discussions I read with the most pleasure.

I think we all use a combination of these arguments. Which methods do you find most effective? Feel free to add on any I've missed.

Now I have a couple of questions:

1. Why do you participate in FYM?
2. What kind of threads do you like most?
3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of
your way to avoid one?
4. Would you rather learn or teach?
5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be
reasonable people?
6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

1. Why do you participate in FYM?

because I find the opinions and posts interesting, and I feel out of place in most of the rest of Interference. People actually seem to notice what I post in this part of the forum.

2. What kind of threads do you like most?

the more personal type, it's nice to get to know the people more than what they post. Like the ones you start

3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of
your way to avoid one?

definitely avoid like the plague

4. Would you rather learn or teach?

learn

5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be
reasonable people? Yes, the regulars are mostly reasonable

6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

I just like to get to know what the variety of people here have to say, it can be enlightening. And maybe some sexy type stuff

 

[BonosSaint]

I just like to get to know what the variety of people here have to say, it can be enlightening. And maybe some sexy type stuff

 

[dandy]

1. Why do you participate in FYM?

i'm a news junkie, so i like to keep on top of the news and political goings on. you guys help keep me in the loop. and, like MrsS, this is where i seem to best fit in around here.

2. What kind of threads do you like most?

the ones that shed new light on issues and/or the post-er(s). the ones that haven't derailed into inane personal attacks. many of the "ask the..." threads were great.

3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of your way to avoid one?

as in real life, i try to avoid directly starting arguments.

4. Would you rather learn or teach?

learn.

5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be reasonable people?

yes. for the most part, i think we're a pretty amicable bunch. (despite our reputation)

6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

hearing a variety of takes on so many things has made my own opinons much better informed.

 

[nbcrusader]

I’ve noticed other discussion methods which are likely used due to the inherent nature of communication in a forum environment. Death by implications is used often. An implication is identified in a post (and it is usually not the main point of the post), and then a counter argument is launched against the implication.

As to the questions:

1. Why do you participate in FYM?

For mentally stimulating discussion and debate that can be enjoyed in small, discrete sessions.

2. What kind of threads do you like most?

I like most threads, especially if the topic is kept in front of us.

3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of your way to avoid one?

I like to question the principles behind a position or statement. Argument for argument’s sake, however, is unproductive.

4. Would you rather learn or teach?

I think it is crucial to be teachable. So I always want to learn. But, I do enjoy teaching as well.

5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be reasonable people?

The regulars are very reasonable. Over time you learn on-line personalities and “hot button” issues. Even so, developing a thicker skin is helpful.

6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

The passion with which some hold their convictions.

 

[indra]

1. Why do you participate in FYM?

Because it's fun. I actually signed up for this bulletin board for B&C and FYM. Most other areas were incidental to me, although I do venture into a few other areas now sometimes.

2. What kind of threads do you like most?

Ones that generate lively, interesting discussion.

3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of
your way to avoid one?

I don't like to start arguments just fo arguments sake, but I also generally don't back down when there is one. Unless I get bored or I feel the argument is nonsensical and not going to get better -- then I just stop looking at that particular thread.

4. Would you rather learn or teach?

Depends on the subject. I think one can do both.

5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be
reasonable people?

Most of the regulars, yeah. A few whackjobs do wander in occasionally.

6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

That politics, no matter how divisive, is often less scary than rabid fandom.

 

[Liesje]

1. Why do you participate in FYM?

Between working and being a student I don't have a lot of down time. I really like Interference so I sort of use FYM as my news site, like my own CNN I guess. I also like having responses to topics and articles instead of just the articles, like on news sites.

2. What kind of threads do you like most?

Religious themes and current events. I'm not as interested in politics in general.

3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of your way to avoid one?

It really depends on how much an issue means to me. I usually browse political threads for info and new points of view. In religious threads I feel more comfortable with my own point of view and knowledge so I'll actually post.

4. Would you rather learn or teach?

I do both.

5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be reasonable people?

Yes, very.

6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

I've changed my point of view on a lot of things regarding homosexuality. I also like reading the points of views from other religions and denominations.

 

[BonosSaint]

1. Why do you participate in FYM?
I came to Interference because of U2 and frankly got
bored with discussing Bono. I wandered over here and
stayed because it is lively. The people are quick here
and thoughtful (sometimes at the same time )
I like to hear news analysis by people who aren't paid to
do it. And definitely the perceptions from all the different
parts of the country and from other countries.

2. What kinds of threads?
I've enjoyed most of the threads. I like political ones
when I'm not burned out on politics, the Ask The ......
threads, the social topics, the funny ones. There are
a few I stay away from, but I usually take a peek anyway.

3. Start an argument or avoid them
I like heated arguments, but I try to avoid hot button
issues. Sometimes I screw up royally because not too
many topics are an emotional or passionate trigger for
me, so I forget they are for some people and suddenly
I am in the middle of this nasty exchange. I try to avoid
topics that are hot button issues for me, but I occasionally
get cantankerous. And on rare days, I like to watch
blood spill.

I like to start a debate that makes people think because
I am genuinely curious about how people think beyond
their favorite topics. I'm guilty of seeing people as steretypes
in my head and I like the sort of question that pushes them
beyond my stereotyping. I like to know why people think the
way they do as well as what they think.

I also know that the more I show respect for someone else's
opinion, the more they will show respect for mine. So I
am willing to extend an olive branch now and again.

4. Learn or teach
I don't really think I have anything to teach anyone here.
(Believe me, that statement does not come from lack of
ego

) So I come here to learn perspective, facts I don't know.

5. Are the majority reasonable?
I've found the majority more than reasonable. They are
well-informed and logical and love the give and take of good
discussion.

6. What have I learned?
That there are a whole lot of topics on which I am
completely ignorant and I lurk in those threads to learn.
I've been able to fine-tune my own positions.

 

[verte76]

Why do you participate in FYM? It's fun. I like reading people's viewpoints even if they're not mine.

What kind of threads do you like the most? I've really liked all of the "Ask the" the threads most of all. I don't do abortion threads, those are the ones I like the least.

Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of your way to avoid one? I avoid arguments like the plague.

Would you rather learn or teach? Learn, although I don't mind teaching sometimes.

On a while do you find the majority of posters to be reasonable people? I think all of the regulars are reasonable.

What have you learned here that you didn't know before? I've learned to respect diverse opinions more.

 

[LadyRhia]

1. Why do you participate in FYM?

Well Iam a newbie,but I like these types of discussions~~
Enlightenment Sometimes you have to leave the fluff behind.

2. What kind of threads do you like most?

Most all of them


3. Do you like to start an argument or do you go out of
your way to avoid one?

Run for the hills to avoid an argument

4. Would you rather learn or teach?

Learn

5. On a whole, do you find the majority of posters to be
reasonable people?

Yes very much so

6. What have you learned here that you didn't know before?

Iam still learning

 

[wizard2c]

reply

Actually I'm a spy for CNN.....

No---not really...just enjoy reading different viewpoints on varying subjects and welcome the opportunity to voice my opinion....just a good place to come.