Special Debates

[Jason]

What are special debates?

Special debates limit participation to certain members and allow them to argue their cases in a public forum. After 15 posts, the debate thread will open to all Volconvo members. If a poll is created, it will also open after 15 posts.

How do I start a special debate?

First, find another member or members interested in challenging you in a special debate. Decide on a topic. Then, simply start a new thread in the Miscellaneous forum, scroll down to the Additional Options and enter the User IDs of the members you'd like to participate in the Special Debate field. User IDs can be found in member profiles.

Do the same rules apply in special debates as elsewhere?

Yes, forum rules still apply. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Enjoy!

[StrongHeartsWin]

Interesting!

If the debate is private, is it still viewable by all the forum members and guests?

And do private debates also pop up in the "Recent Posting Activity" list so that they can attract traffic as equally as the other threads?

[Jason]

Yes, they are still publicly available and appear in the Recent Activity listings.

[rmnunez]

I'd propose a subsection to allow forumites to appoint duelers to private debate, the non-prevailing one to be banned.

[Jason]

You are either highly confident in your debating skills or highly unlikely to participate!

[Lullaby Chainer]

To the death!

I like that idea. :]

[phoenix_fire]

The Boxers and Briefs debate was absolutely hillarious.

[Jason]

Or maybe ban members at random and make them fight their way back in?

Quote by: phoenix_fire The Boxers and Briefs debate was absolutely hillarious.

Glad you liked it. Start your own! A more serious subject, though…

[StrongHeartsWin]

Quote by: rmnunez I'd propose a subsection to allow forumites to appoint duelers to private debate, the non-prevailing one to be banned.

This is funny, but yet a very interesting unique suggestion. I think it would be fun to see people duel and then killed in cyber forum space. But, I think an eternal death is unmerrited. How about if someone loses a duel debate they are banned for one month? Or they are just banned for one month from a particular forum section or from talking on the topic of a choice by the duel winner.

Like, if someone killed me in a debate duel, they could ban me for one month from mentioning the word "vegetarianism" or talking about it.

The only problem is, who would judge the duel? I don`t think it should be done by the peanut gallery of cheer leaders. In my case most people here are not vegetarians and many have posted against me, so to expect a fair judgement from the majority would be wishful thinking. So, who could judge a duel fairly and what would those criteria for judging the duel rest on. The criteria would have to be public so we could view it.

[StrongHeartsWin]

Quote by: Jason You are either highly confident in your debating skills or highly unlikely to participate!

I am the former and highly likely to participate!

[Jason]

Quote by: StrongHeartsWin This is funny, but yet a very interesting unique suggestion. I think it would be fun to see people duel and then killed in cyber forum space. But, I think an eternal death is unmerrited. How about if someone loses a duel debate they are banned for one month? Or they are just banned for one month from a particular forum section or from talking on the topic of a choice by the duel winner.

Okay, I think you're taking this a bit too seriously. I don't think we'll be doing that sort of thing. Sorry. :eek:

[StrongHeartsWin]

Quote by: Jason Okay, I think you're taking this a bit too seriously. I don't think we'll be doing that sort of thing. Sorry. :eek:

Sad sad sad. lol. I was beginning to call a few people out for dueling.

[Chris]

Lets get ready to rummmmmmmmmble!

come on guys, I would have thought we would have had some challenges already!

[rmnunez]

Oh well, just an idea, it certainly would need refinement. The hard-core debate could be for banishment purposes, force an offender to demonstrate the righteousness of his offensive assertion.

I'd figured on the debate being moderated by two on each side selected by the duelists with a moderator to deliver the tie-breaker. Points could be awarded for substantiation and rhetoric and whether the issues raised by an adversary had been adequately rebuted, while repetition, unsupported arguments and debunked references would reduce points.

I think there could be a time limit for responses, that unused time could be banked, and that prevailing parties could even be awarded temporary special priviledges, for example give them premium features for a month or access to a restricted area for debate masters.

[StrongHeartsWin]

Quote by: rmnunez Oh well, just an idea,...

I think it was a great idea, including everything else you just posted on it. Serious point subtraction would also have to go to direct ad hominem attacks as well.

I think other details would have to be addressed, too. But, I still think it is interesting.

You mentioned special access to duel winners, such as Volconvo Premium. I think Volconvo Premium no longer exists, but special access to some feature would be neat. I think access to a "chess" game feature would be interesting. Members there could challenge each other to chess matches. Of course you can play chess with people on Yahoo Games, but those are faceless people you haven`t gotten to know in some ways -- like here on Volconvo, so playing chess here with each other once in a while would be fun. If not that, then bring back the chat option for duel winners. :)

[phoenix_fire]

Meh, I just haven't thought of a good topic (or a good opponent) yet. I dunno...anyone up for the perennial Star Trek v. Star Wars debate? I would be representing the Trek POV.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Ok, banning is no good.

But, the deemed winner could get a special badge that can be seen somewhere around their name or avatar.

Eh? Eh?

Just ideas.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Ok, banning is no good. But, the deemed winner could get a special badge that can be seen somewhere around their name or avatar. Eh? Eh? Just ideas.

You could just enter it into your signature like a boxing record in a Win/Loss/Draw format.

[kubedawg]

bahahah the boxers vs briefs was funny as HELL!!! I love it!

[rmnunez]

Yes, I like the idea of attaching a distinction to the prevailing debater, a special cap and sash, purple piping or something.

I missed the boxer v. brief debate, but think boxers are better. These provide better ventilation and allow the genitals to retain a more 'natural' state which is healthier and particularly relevant for people concerned with their reproductive outputs.