Post the name of your best debater on RF.

[danieldemol]

@Polymath257 @Left Coast @Sunstone @Dan From Smithville @Evangelicalhumanist as well as a number of others

 

[SalixIncendium]

@A Vestigial Mote
@ChristineM
@Nakosis
@HonestJoe
@SalixIncendium
@Mock Turtle
@Amanaki
@stvdv
@Aupmanyav
@mikkel_the_dane
@blü 2
@KAT-KAT
@oldbadger
@Estro Felino
@Jedster
@Gargovic Malkav
There are many more -- am sure am missing many names.

While I appreciate the vote, I am likely one of the worst debaters on RF.

Out of the 32,731 members on the forum, I think my ranking is right around 31,655, and it's likely because 1,075 of them never posted.

 

[Revoltingest]

While I appreciate the vote, I am likely one of the worst debaters on RF.

Out of the 32,731 members on the forum, I think my ranking is right around 31,655, and it's likely because 1,075 of them never posted.

This is because you're more of a conversationalist than a debater.
And I prefer it this way.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

While I appreciate the vote, I am likely one of the worst debaters on RF.

Out of the 32,731 members on the forum, I think my ranking is right around 31,655, and it's likely because 1,075 of them never posted.

I hope this doesn't come off as unkind, but I consider you like a learned Japanese master who has a teenage pupil and wants them to figure out some kind of life lesson, but rather than tells them, makes them wake up every morning at 4 am and go through about 6 months of brutal difficulty on the body to figure out this life lesson. Then when the teenager finally figures it out, you smile and say "Yes. That's what I meant all along."

 

[SalixIncendium]

What qualities make one a great debater?

I think it is one who listens and considers the opposing position and responds directly to points without belittling their opponent or their position. It is one who isn't easily swayed but will concede points when it has been demonstrated their position may be incorrect or less than correct. It is one who remains respectful to their opponent regardless of how heated the debate gets and does not resort to ad hominem attacks or misrepresentation of their opponents position.

While I don't often engage in debate, one of my most memorable debates was with @Mestemia, and sadly, I don't recall the topic. The reason it stands out in my mind is that I appreciated the style in which he engaged. Though he didn't back down, he remained respectful rather than being antagonistic and did not resort to any sort of personal attack. While I don't recall the topic, or who, if anyone, won the debate, I do recall that he earned my respect in that exchange.

So yeah, my vote is for @Mestemia.

 

[Sunstone]

While I appreciate the vote, I am likely one of the worst debaters on RF.

Out of the 32,731 members on the forum, I think my ranking is right around 31,655, and it's likely because 1,075 of them never posted.

I'm with you, Salix. I try to avoid debating.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I'm with you, Salix. I avoid debating. I don't know what your motive for that is, but most -- not all, but most -- debating strikes me as two or more people pretending to know more than they know, being dishonest about the merits of each other's positions, etc. etc. etc.

I see that as kind of the point myself. On the internet, knowledge of a vast array of subjects is a rare thing. So a simplistic way of tackling a debate is:

OP names subject

People pick side. People make arguments for their side.

The winner is decided by the crowd based on who was the best arguer, or who knew the most about the subject, or a combination of both.

 

[Revoltingest]

I see that as kind of the point myself. On the internet, knowledge of a vast array of subjects is a rare thing. So a simplistic way of tackling a debate is:

OP names subject

People pick side. People make arguments for their side.

The winner is decided by the crowd based on who was the best arguer, or who knew the most about the subject, or a combination of both.

Another problem is how to judge the quality & winner of a debate.
I don't know about any other posters here, but I judge solely based
upon agreement with me.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Another problem is how to judge the quality & winner of a debate.
I don't know about any other posters here, but I judge solely based
upon agreement with me.

I judge based on crowd consensus, and since there isn't really a nonbiased way of asking the crowd in very many formats... I go by the number of frubals on each post.

 

[Revoltingest]

I judge based on crowd consensus, and since there isn't really a nonbiased way of asking the crowd in very many formats... I go by the number of frubals on each post.

My system is similar.
I judge based upon the number of frubals from me.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

My system is similar.
I judge based upon the number of frubals from me.

I see.

What do I know though. I see you as one of the best debaters on RF as you answer most posts directed at you.

 

[Revoltingest]

I see.

What do I know though. I see you as one of the best debaters on RF as you answer most posts directed at you.

Don't confuse compulsion with kwality.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Don't confuse compulsion with kwality.

True. But I see quality as more for discussions. When you debate, if you want a two person exchange, it does require an element of compulsion. I see debating as a sport, and unless that sport is Chess, there's a bit more to it than posting something that your professor would give an A+ on.

 

[Revoltingest]

True. But I see quality as more for discussions. When you debate, if you want a two person exchange, it does require an element of compulsion. I see debating as a sport, and unless you're playing Chess, there's a bit more to it than posting something that your professor would give an A+ on.

One big problem with debates is that we all have
different premises, eg, values, which drive our goals.
We end up often talking debating past each other.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

One big problem with debates is that we all have
different premises, eg, values, which drive our goals.
We end up often talking debating past each other.

Things do go very fast paced on this site. There's a lot of traffic and threads usually mostly clear out of most viewing boxes every couple of days.

On slower sites, where threads often last two weeks, you do see people make posts asking only things like "What do you mean?" a lot. And a lot of those posts. And things move more slowly.

I'm not sure if there's a better answer to such a thing though. I don't have it.

 

[Revoltingest]

Things do go very fast paced on this site. There's a lot of traffic and threads usually mostly clear out of most viewing boxes every couple of days.

On slower sites, where threads often last two weeks, you do see people make posts asking only things like "What do you mean?" a lot. And a lot of those posts. And things move more slowly.

I'm not sure if there's a better answer to such a thing though. I don't have it.

My personal answer is to try to avoid competing (ie, debating).
Interesting conversation is best.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

My personal answer is to try to avoid competing (ie, debating).
Interesting conversation is best.

My first year here I focused a lot on self-improvement in my threads as my main focus as I had some issues from a very large caffeine crash that's taken an extended recovery. I've kind of figured out most of the stuff I needed to know, so now I tend to like the leisure threads best. You probably know which threads I'm talking about because you always see me in them.

 

[Revoltingest]

My first year here I focused a lot on self-improvement in my threads as my main focus as I had some issues from a very large caffeine crash that's taken an extended recovery. I've kind of figured out most of the stuff I needed to know, so now I tend to like the leisure threads best. You probably know which threads I'm talking about because you always see me in them.

Gotta have fun.
Good for mental health.

 

[Mock Turtle]

While I appreciate the vote, I am likely one of the worst debaters on RF.

Out of the 32,731 members on the forum, I think my ranking is right around 31,655, and it's likely because 1,075 of them never posted.

Me too. I shouldn't be on any such list, as I would never vote for myself as being anything other than a naughty imp.

 

[oldbadger]

Post the name of your best debater on RF. (General)

I don't know..... don't know who has changed minds the most.

But I'm definitely the furriest....... and grayest......