Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

Netopalis · Jul 29, 2007, 07:12 pm

Hey, folks...after reading some recent threads, I would like to propose 5 guidelines to debate. I believe that these would lead to a more engaging and less opinion-flinging style debate. Anyway, here are my 5 suggestions:

1) Provide links or titles to any information which you cite - it's impossible to decide upon the veracity of a claim without critically reviewing the source material.

2) Please use carriage returns and punctuation. I hate trying to muddle through a page-long paragraph with little to no punctuation. I'm not asking you to be Ernest Hemingway, merely to start with a capital letter and end with a period, exclamation mark or question mark.

3) Godwin's law states that the first person to compare someone to the nazis in a thread non-related to nazi policies loses the debate. The corollary to this rule is that it cannot intentionally be invoked. I believe that this would be a useful concept here.

4) Terms like "fascist", "communist", "liberal" and "conservative" have rather lost most of their meaning. I believe that it would be better to discuss individual policies than applying restrictive labels to certain ideas.

5) Unless there is proof otherwise, just blaming the illuminati, masons, or whatever the conspiracy du jour happens to be isn't a valid debate tactic.

Any thoughts? I welcome debate on these 5 points and would enjoy some constructive feedback...

christibe · Jul 29, 2007, 08:24 pm

Agreed.

Technosoul · Jul 29, 2007, 08:29 pm

Links are not obtainable for brand new ideas put forth for debate.

So that rule should be "relative" to the topic at hand.

Netopalis · Jul 29, 2007, 08:40 pm

Agreed, but if you're going to say that "A study has recently showed...", then presumably, you should be able to link to that study.

Kamehameha34 · Jul 29, 2007, 09:32 pm

Quote:

3) Godwin's law states that the first person to compare someone to the nazis in a thread non-related to nazi policies loses the debate. The corollary to this rule is that it cannot intentionally be invoked. I believe that this would be a useful concept here.

There would be quite an elephant in the room if any rabid anti-semites register.

Jul 29, 2007, 09:41 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Technosoul

Links are not obtainable for brand new ideas put forth for debate.

So that rule should be "relative" to the topic at hand.

There are brand new ideas?

Regards
S.

lsbskins1 · Jul 30, 2007, 05:22 pm

I find it interesting that the whole Nazi thing is a rule. If someone on the right compares me to Mao or Stalin, is there a known corallary?

ZNFYRH · Jul 30, 2007, 05:28 pm

There isn't, but that's only because the comparisons to Mao and Stalin are inaccurate.

Autolykos · Jul 30, 2007, 06:25 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Netopalis

3) Godwin's law states that the first person to compare someone to the nazis in a thread non-related to nazi policies loses the debate. The corollary to this rule is that it cannot intentionally be invoked. I believe that this would be a useful concept here.

This is wrong. Godwin's Law simply states that, as an online debate grows longer, the probability of someone invoking Hitler and/or the Nazis approaches one. See for yourself.

- Rob

Jul 30, 2007, 06:35 pm

Quote:

Quote by: lsbskins1

I find it interesting that the whole Nazi thing is a rule. If someone on the right compares me to Mao or Stalin, is there a known corallary?

Attila? Mr. Potter [of Bedford Falls, not Hogwarts]?

Regards
S.

Jul 29, 2007, 07:12 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
Netopalis Peculiar. Location: Bluefield, WV Posts: 179	5 guidelines to debate Hey, folks...after reading some recent threads, I would like to propose 5 guidelines to debate. I believe that these would lead to a more engaging and less opinion-flinging style debate. Anyway, here are my 5 suggestions: 1) Provide links or titles to any information which you cite - it's impossible to decide upon the veracity of a claim without critically reviewing the source material. 2) Please use carriage returns and punctuation. I hate trying to muddle through a page-long paragraph with little to no punctuation. I'm not asking you to be Ernest Hemingway, merely to start with a capital letter and end with a period, exclamation mark or question mark. 3) Godwin's law states that the first person to compare someone to the nazis in a thread non-related to nazi policies loses the debate. The corollary to this rule is that it cannot intentionally be invoked. I believe that this would be a useful concept here. 4) Terms like "fascist", "communist", "liberal" and "conservative" have rather lost most of their meaning. I believe that it would be better to discuss individual policies than applying restrictive labels to certain ideas. 5) Unless there is proof otherwise, just blaming the illuminati, masons, or whatever the conspiracy du jour happens to be isn't a valid debate tactic. Any thoughts? I welcome debate on these 5 points and would enjoy some constructive feedback...

Jul 30, 2007, 05:22 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
lsbskins1 Redskins Rule Location: South-Western Virginia Posts: 2,559	I find it interesting that the whole Nazi thing is a rule. If someone on the right compares me to Mao or Stalin, is there a known corallary? All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground, Scratchin' dirt, cluckin' in the barnyard - Tell me, could that be you? John Kay

Jul 30, 2007, 05:28 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	There isn't, but that's only because the comparisons to Mao and Stalin are inaccurate. IT'S A BOY!!

Jul 29, 2007, 08:24 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
christibe Igneous Magma Posts: 322	Agreed.

Jul 29, 2007, 08:29 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Technosoul Volcanic Erupter Posts: 8,936	Links are not obtainable for brand new ideas put forth for debate. So that rule should be "relative" to the topic at hand.

Jul 29, 2007, 08:40 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
Netopalis Peculiar. Location: Bluefield, WV Posts: 179	Agreed, but if you're going to say that "A study has recently showed...", then presumably, you should be able to link to that study.