Members Debates - a suggestion for Forum Specific Rules.

[Nixt]

When debates were controlled by staff, there was a set of rules that dictated how members conducted themselves within a thread in the debates forum. The original debate rules can be found here.

I believe some of these could be implemented:

1) Please do not make any short pointless comments.
2) Please back up your points with evidence or an extension on the reason for your opinion.

These two are the key ones I feel should be implemented. It's highly annoying when you get posts like this. If people are going to debate, they should actually be debating rather than posting random comments that have no structure or argument that contribute to the debate.

I also think that the rule that says that you must stick to the debate topic is important and should be implemented. In normal forums it is fine to go off topic providing you are referring to a post in the thread, however I think in debates it should remain on the topic of the debate. I have noticed occasionally in the past that within a debate topic it changes into another debate. For example, just say in my recent topic "should homosexual males be able to give blood" it may (it hasn't... but just giving an example) change to whether homosexuality is right or whatever. This rule would prevent that.

I am sure there are others people can think of, and all contributions from members who use the forum and have a real appreciation for debates are welcome. It will be interesting to see how people think that forum should be governed. Basically, I want to see a structured debates forum in which debates don't turn into petty arguments with no valid opinion just childish comments.

[Hecktix]

Sounds like a good idea I'll speak to Matt

[Nixt]

Thank you, Oliver. Does anyone else have any opinions?

[FlyingJesus]

I entirely agree. My post in that thread wasn't exactly contributing much but did at least bring up a good point about the figures being given, whereas ones such as that linked offer nothing whatsoever to the debate

[Hecktix]

I believe this idea has been put forward for 'Forum Updates' and will probably appear in the next set of updates.

[scottish]

yes, i agree

[Jordy]

yes, i agree

It's still annoying and unfunny?

[buttons]

I don't agree, if someone isn't great at debating and just wants a short but simple "Yes, I believe they should/shouldn't" they should be allowed, that's just going over the top. You do NOT need to give evidence on something for your opinion to count, that's just singling people out. It seems from that specific post you've given you just didn't like the fact you wrote your post with "evidence" (hardly evidence, since when were statistics always correct?) whereas someone just replied giving their opinion without going into detail which gave you no chance at arguing back to try "win" the debate. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't find it very fair, it would be obvious if someone was spamming or trolling.

As for staying on topic that should be for every single forum and not just debates but that won't stop anyone.

[Nixt]

I don't agree, if someone isn't great at debating and just wants a short but simple "Yes, I believe they should/shouldn't" they should be allowed, that's just going over the top. You do NOT need to give evidence on something for your opinion to count, that's just singling people out. It seems from that specific post you've given you just didn't like the fact you wrote your post with "evidence" (hardly evidence, since when were statistics always correct?) whereas someone just replied giving their opinion without going into detail which gave you no chance at arguing back to try "win" the debate. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't find it very fair, it would be obvious if someone was spamming or trolling.

As for staying on topic that should be for every single forum and not just debates but that won't stop anyone.

It doesn't necessarily have to be solid evidence, for example statistics or results of a study, it can also be an extension of opinion. So I am not asking for masses of detail, rather an actual opinion. Saying yes or no does not really present an opinion and is certainly not debate. The post in the thread certainly did highlight the problem and gave me the idea to post the thread.
By posting something that doesn't allow you to 'argue' back as you say, it defeats the object of debate. To quote some internet definitions of debate:

• argue with one another; "We debated the question of abortion"; "John debated Mary"
• consider: think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your mind"
• discuss the pros and cons of an issue

All of these suggest debate is in depth. One word answers or simply yes it is are not in depth discussion and therefore don't count as debate. Hence the reason I have suggested the exclusion of posts without an extension of opinion in debate.

I agree with your off-topic suggestion, but that's a different story. I feel it is particularly relevant to the debates forum because the idea of a debate is, as I have said, a detailed focus on one issue.

[Suspective]

Also, all stupid debates should be deleted.