The effectiveness of debating online through a computer

[BionicArmofDeth]

Anyone else think that debating through symbols sitting down in front of a monitor kind of makes one lose ones touch with reality slowly but surely? Just like a writer who stays locked up in his house trying to write a great novel. The novel would most likely suck.

[Jack]

The internet is not a reality? Conveying my opinions and thoughts by means of symbols typed into an electronic device is unreal?

Not sure I agree with that. I do, however, appreciate the irony in debating debating on the internet on the internet.

[Jimmy the Pro]

Metadebate- debating about debating. Interesting indeed!

On the contrary, those on here keep me in touch with reality everyday. Some even show me what reality is not, but most of those guys get banned.

[The Bacon Guy]

I don't see why communicating over the internet should mean that you lose touch with reality. As far as Volconvo is concerned, I'm simply communicating with people as I would in any other situation. I still have my frame of reference to reality in the form of my life outside Volconvo.

Perhaps if you did spend all your time here, you might lose touch with the outside world slightly, but I doubt many Volconvites do so.

[5010]

It is not the debating that causes a person to lose touch. It is the isolation.

In my experience, debating in a forum like this stimulates me to learn. I want to find research to back up points. This bridges the debate to real world experience and wisdom. The part-time nature of a forum like this is less intrusive on outside world interaction than would be debate within a chat room or physical meeting room.

[Heather]

I'll be frank in that I use the internet as means of interacting with others of intelligence... so therefore, I must say, it may perhaps in some regards for some people enhance what they would otherwise have in their life.

And don't get me started about writers. Many of them them were recluse, yes, however, genus. Have you ever written a novel? Trust me, it's not all pie and cake.

[Osborn F Enready]

Word Heather..... word.

[improvident]

Reality.. is whatever you make it... in a sense.. but no.. i really enjoy this site. ive always thought about finding a debate forum.. just couldn't ever find one worth a flip and a half.. if anything this place has helped me regain and possibly add on to my current reality.. there isnt much to do around here.. before this.. i was a wow junkie...aka totally isolated loser...atleast here i can speak with others who are as smart.. or in most cases smarter than me... i enjoy learning.. and in the 3-4 days ive been on here.. ive learned my fair share.. and thought about alot of things i had never even dreamed of...

kudos to the majority of you :)

[Scribbler1]

I can say in the past number of years doing this online has made my arguments with non-digitized people a lot stronger and more effective.

I don't need to hit them with chairs NEARLY as much as I used to.

When you think about it, it's no different than arguing with someone over the phone.

[Jack]

I don't need to hit them with chairs NEARLY as much as I used to.

I hope you're also cutting down on the number of keyboards and mice you have to replace due to redirected frustration.

I was thinking about this earlier today, and an odd thought crossed my mind in regards to debating on the internet, specifically on Volconvo.

I've mentioned before the difference between theists and atheists when it comes to the frequency that we think about our belief or lack thereof. Theists tend to relate everything they do and say to their faith, whereas atheists hardly ever include their lack of belief in their daily activities and thoughts.

For the straight, bi and gay, our sexual preferences come to mind quite often. It's a part of our character that is frequently considered and discussed.

Yet here on Volconvo, I spend far more time debating my atheism than I do my sexuality, an exact reversal of my real life.

Not much significance to that; I just found it an interesting situation.

[vicious-vegan]

Quote by: BionicArmofDeth Anyone else think that debating through symbols sitting down in front of a monitor kind of makes one lose ones touch with reality slowly but surely? Just like a writer who stays locked up in his house trying to write a great novel. The novel would most likely suck.

We're all real people here with real ideas. =)

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Isherwood I hope you're also cutting down on the number of keyboards and mice you have to replace due to redirected frustration.

I am, but these LCD monitors are apparently a lot more fragile than I thought.

I was thinking about this earlier today, and an odd thought crossed my mind in regards to debating on the internet, specifically on Volconvo. I've mentioned before the difference between theists and atheists when it comes to the frequency that we think about our belief or lack thereof. Theists tend to relate everything they do and say to their faith, whereas atheists hardly ever include their lack of belief in their daily activities and thoughts. For the straight, bi and gay, our sexual preferences come to mind quite often. It's a part of our character that is frequently considered and discussed. Yet here on Volconvo, I spend far more time debating my atheism than I do my sexuality, an exact reversal of my real life. Not much significance to that; I just found it an interesting situation.

It is. If I understood you, I think it's because we are often two completely different people. An online personality and an offline one.

[Jack]

I think it's because we are often two completely different people

You and I or me and me? Yes, you and I are frequently two different people.
(That's also true of the internet me and the RW me.)

[Heather]

Quote by: Isherwood I was thinking about this earlier today, and an odd thought crossed my mind in regards to debating on the internet, specifically on Volconvo. I've mentioned before the difference between theists and atheists when it comes to the frequency that we think about our belief or lack thereof. Theists tend to relate everything they do and say to their faith, whereas atheists hardly ever include their lack of belief in their daily activities and thoughts. For the straight, bi and gay, our sexual preferences come to mind quite often. It's a part of our character that is frequently considered and discussed. Yet here on Volconvo, I spend far more time debating my atheism than I do my sexuality, an exact reversal of my real life. Not much significance to that; I just found it an interesting situation.

Very interesting thoughts. Perhaps the ability to debate online such as this provides, at least for some of us, the opportunity to express and sharpen "parts" of ourselves intellectually by way of challenges that we ourselves would not have otherwise encountered, thus bringing important parts of self closer to the surface than they would otherwise be.

[Praxius]

Just skipping a few posts I didn't read yet, and throwing my 2 cents here:

The debate forum doesn't really detract from the reality. It all depends on how much you stay talking on here and interacting with those outside of your home or work..... if you do one more then the other, then it's easy to kinda perceive reality slipping away..... but I don't see by a lot.

Think of it this way:

How often do you get the chance to communicate and debate like this with those you live with, or goto school with, or your neighbor, etc? Most will get into one debate once in a while.... but on a scale such as this.... and the variety of opinions you get from around the world.... one would have to question reality after a while.... considdering you get more feedback on the internet.

[Jack]

Just like a writer who stays locked up in his house trying to write a great novel. The novel would most likely suck.

I kind of overlooked that in the OP. Why would you think that? Reality doesn't always inspire literature. If that were the case, no science fiction novel would have ever become popular.