forum etiquette

[ozzie666]

It seems to me, when i post an opinion or retort to something, it seemingly goes overlooked or unanswered. I don't know if its cause my post are unintelligent or irrelevant, but i wonder, is there some unwritten code to posting that we follow? some form of a rule book to agreeing and disagreeing that you just pick up as you go?

I want this thread to be the establishment of a set of guidelines to honest, responsible posting, by members and for members, of this forum.

Also, I realise there is already rules to this, rules made by management which are totally understandable and respectable but im thinking of this thread more like... there are rules to a football game but there is also a code of conduct amongst players in the team and on the field. get me?

discuss!

[Yarn]

Your more likely to get a response if you explicitly respond to someone else who posted in the thread recently, if your point of view disagrees with that of most active posters, if you don't pile onto to someone who is already busy debating someone else (when people are ganged up on, they may choose to ignore some posters), and if you state your opinion clearly and concisely and avoid ranting.

The hardest thing is to start a new thread that really takes off. Mine often don't. Often that's because people just don't have that much to say about my topics.

[Sigma_Tau_Theta]

People choose who they wish to respond to. Discussions can get hectic. It seems that topics boil down quickly to dialogues between certain individuals. Otherwise, I agree with Yarn.

[ChimneySweep]

Ozzie666: It seems to me, when i post an opinion or retort to something, it seemingly goes overlooked or unanswered.

Et tu, Brute? I know what you mean. Even worse, it seems like every time I answered on a thread, it became the last post altogether. I've tried to convince myself that this is because my arguments are so reasonable and balanced that there's nothing left to say, but finally I've had to admit I'm just a thread killer and that's all there is to it.
One way to connect with previous posters might be to acknowledge a previous statement by copy and pasting it and then commenting on it before carrying on with your own opinion.It carries the theme along better rather than just jumping in with another thought. Ditto I think it's good manners to compliment a well-written or argued post even if there are parts of it you disagree with. I am much more inclined to debate with someone who does this rather than just rubbishes my whole post.
I think it's quite possible that you could majorly disagree with someone's opinion on Volconvo but find you get along with them if you met them in real life.

[ChimneySweep]

See?

[minorwork]

I've not learned from those who agree with me. I do think that an offer of a compromise, a clarification of terms, or an opportunity to from a synthesis or specifically adressing me by name. A private message is very effective or thumping me on the noggin like my wife and Yosemite Sam gettin' the attention of his camel/mule.

I can see that when the blood's pumping and sweat and blood are running on the forum like water over Niagara Falls, that an extra comment goes unheeded when a point that is 3 pages long is in formation. When the wife wants my attention I've found that bobbing and weaving avoid the more serious blows. A Private Message is a good thump. There's nothing I know of in the rules saying there can't be two debates going on at once. Seen it several times.

[ozzie666]

sorry i havent replied!!! havent been on for a few days.

BUT! i think every post on this thread has been very valid and extremely helpful :) indeed i do go on rants, especially when i am, as you say, sweating with blood pumping over someones post that i think may just make my brain spontaneously implode.

I've tried to convince myself that this is because my arguments are so reasonable and balanced that there's nothing left to say

exactly the same thought process but yes... wishfull thinking im afraid

I do think that an offer of a compromise, a clarification of terms, or an opportunity to from a synthesis

I am much more inclined to debate with someone who does this rather than just rubbishes my whole post.

i definately like the idea of a compromise, or not even that, at least an acknowledgment of a good post wouldnt go astray, especially for the sake of civil and healthy debating. unless of course you debating with utter fuckheads then yes, chastise those heathens with burning hot cat o nine tails...

[ozzie666]

here is a perfect example of what me and chimney sweep were on about. to me it seems i finished off the debate, and there was nothing else to retort. the last post was last friday. but yes i could be wrong!

http://www.volconvo.com/forums/philo...changel-5.html

[Nervous]

Say something stupid, but arrogantly.
Something like;
"There is absolutely no proof for evolution"
"I think abortion is..." (Any opinion about abortion is stupid.... except mine!)

Eh, I only have two, I'm not good at thinking up stupid things...
Basically, if your post is something everyone agrees with, no one cares to respond.
This also counts if they didn't agree before but you totally blew up their argument.

[ChimneySweep]

Basically, if your post is something everyone agrees with, no one cares to respond.
This also counts if they didn't agree before but you totally blew up their argument.

That succinctly explains the longevity of a few threads.

[minorwork]

Using the features of the text editor so quotes are identified by name is a big plus. Without identification who is to know to whom you are responding to? Good punctuation and capitalization practices gives you juice over and above the brilliance of your thinking and originality in argumentative technique.

[ozzie666]

Using the features of the text editor so quotes are identified by name is a big plus. Without identification who is to know to whom you are responding to? Good punctuation and capitalization practices gives you juice over and above the brilliance of your thinking and originality in argumentative technique

argumentative technique. thats brilliant lol good call bro!