I think one of the problems people have is that certain threads may turn off new players. Honestly, I don't care if people want to tear each other apart (sometimes it's hilarious), but I think it would be a shame if people stopped joining because of it.

No one has to listen to me. My thread is there for those who do. I'm not forcing anyone to not post or trying to make hate threads illegal. Post what you want if you want, but I discourage it.

I'll let people post. That doesn't mean I like it or will just let the issue go entirely.

@miles,

I think we all know where you stand on the issue and its commendable, but repeating your position in every thread you find is not helping, its trolling.

How about this. I'll leave the thread alone. I'll say goodbye with a flourish. It's good to cool down.

And besides, it's tiring to answer all the things people tell me about my post.

Lol nice ! I got on a list with diplomat x]

all my posts are sarcastic and I can really care less what people do on the forum

Don't get me wrong, this thread has nothing to do with what I think of freedom of speech. I think chalking up forum threads to freedom of speech is... well... posturing.

I just people would like... let those sorts of things slide. And that includes those hypothetical "new players" that would get turned off from bad threads or whatever.

I remember when I first joined I just never looked at the forum at all because I assumed it was all talk I didn't understand given that I was a noob. Every once in while I posted a rules question and slowly I felt confident enough to talk about other diplomacy related things. Finally I started in the "other" threads like politics and popularity contests. I mean.. there are still threads I simply don't open. When looking through the threads my eye just filters them out.

Well.

Letting things slide. I do that too.

I'll leave y'all posters alone. For a while...mwah ha ha ha!

oh noes! not the eveil laugh!

I agree with Thucydides.

It makes no difference to me what people believe in, who they sleep with or what level of education they possess. I've discovered a long time ago that it doesn't matter how many facts, references, quotes and figures you bring to the table when debating an issue, you do not change anyones mind. The people that agree with you do so because they already agreed with you.

And it's my belief that the majority of people who create and post to these threads on a regular basis would benefit from a
prozac and a hug.

Hey, my mind gets changed sometimes... actually it's through debate that I've probably formulated many of my opinions, and taken some from others.

That's interesting Chris. Would you mind telling me what beliefs you had strongly held that you now have found to be wrong?

I think people's minds can change through debate.

or brainwash...

lol

Isnt that a bit hypocritical? Telling people to stop talking about people talking about things they don't like?

The issue is that so many of the threads are filled with anger. A few are not. But it causes me to question why in the world am I spending my time here? It's just not a pleasant, engaging environment.


@ milestailsprower... people CAN change their minds through debate, but I haven't seen a lot of debate on the site. Debate follows certain guidelines that are simply ignored here. Also, I wager with all of my logic that no one has changed their opinion based on something I've read here. I mean a deep seated opinion, not just something they haven't thought about much before.

The forum is valuable real estate (not really ‘prime’) since old threads fall off. If there were an archive of old threads, then I would agree completely with Thucydides. As it is, I only mostly agree.

I've often changed my mind through debate. Sometimes the debate forces me to clarify my own opinion, which is valuable enough. Sometimes my opponent convinces me flat out (mostly in debates on technical topics). More often my mind is changed only partway, or my opinion even shifts sideways. In any case, intelligent discussion has an effect on me.

It's important not to worry too much about others' opinions. If you stated your case and they're too stupid or willfully ignorant to understand, then let it be. You have to moderate that somewhat if some stupid ignoramus is going to ACT on their crazy opinions; maybe this is a matter of life and death! But normally, who cares?

I change my mind through debate.

If you're looking for specific examples... well. Where to begin. The invasion of Iraq. I once thought it justified. No more. Christianity. I once thought the Bible was infallible word for word. I now think no one can know one way or the other and that Islam has just as much chance of being the truth as Christianity.

Maybe this is because I am still intellectually maturing but I think some honest introspection mixed with years of debate finally wore me down.

As far as rational arguments go, my position on the Iraq invasion was changed in one sitting, after I saw the Frontline special on PBS called "Bush's War." I was convinced enough to do a 180 that very night.


But that's all beside the point. But who cares? It's the forum. No rules, eh