Why Can't You Just Be Nice?

[Thief]

shutting down a bigot is generally about reducing the bigot's influence with others, and therefore the amount of harm they can inflict.

shut them down?......as in

remove their postwork
or
demonstrate their viewpoint to be at fault

?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Shouldn't someone else's debate style be something for them to decide?

Absolutely. I never implied that it wasn’t.

Just as it should be that it should be one’s own decision if they deserve to have a “seat at the table.”

 

[Revoltingest]

I've always seen overly polite disagreement as irritatingly condescend

Well, I don't advocate that...unless condescension is the intent.
Civility should be the bare minimum.
But friendliness is a fell tool (& also more enjoyable).

 

[stvdv]

There are also some topics where the other person's goal is to establish that their outlandish position deserves a "seat at the table" in reasonable discourse, so having a calm, respectful discussion with them on their topic actually concedes their point.

I agree. Sometimes it can be essential to be firm and clear. No need to be a jerk of course (except the other could feel it that way of course).

Sometimes you need a thorn to remove a thorn.

Who is one to say whether another deserves a "seat at the table?"

IMO:
There are situations that all see it clear, except 1 person. That 1 person even might be proud on his 'false' view. Or do it as a joke to provoke without having the foresight what might happen because of it.

e.g: To condone killing someone (or nuke a country) because of Muhammad drawing (contest)

Even on RF it should not be condoned IMO (millions can read, you need only 1 foolish enough to act upon what he reads on RF).

 

[Revoltingest]

shut them down?......as in

remove their postwork
or
demonstrate their viewpoint to be at fault

?

Well, if someone is wrong, shouldn't they be stopped?
For example if they're pro-choice or pro-life, those are political positions
with heinous effects....either baby murdering or misogynist enslavement.
Both should be met with derision, disrespect, anger, & intolerance.
Shut them down!

 

[Revoltingest]

Sometimes you need a thorn to remove a thorn.

Tweezers are better than responding thorn with thorn.

 

[Thief]

Well, if someone is wrong, shouldn't they be stopped?
For example if they're pro-choice or pro-life, those are political positions
with heinous effects....either baby murdering or misogynist enslavement.
Both should be met with derision, disrespect, anger, & intolerance.
Shut them down!

so let the child be born into poverty and abuse
subject the innocent to the poor choices of poor parents

 

[Thief]

oh sure.....I survived the poverty and the housing projects

but DAMN

now I have to be nice?

wtf

 

[Revoltingest]

so let the child be born into poverty and abuse
subject the innocent to the poor choices of poor parents

Aye, all views about abortion are not just wrong...they're evil.
Each side therefore must excoriate the other, eh.

 

[Jim]

Tweezers are better than responding thorn with thorn.

Lame excuses for irresponsible behavior are an example of what I’ve learned to ignore.

 

[Thief]

Tweezers are better than responding thorn with thorn.

and with the absence of tweezers...…..thorns are used

 

[Thief]

Lame excuses for irresponsible behavior are an example of what I’ve learned to ignore.

touche'

 

[Revoltingest]

and with the absence of tweezers...…..thorns are used

I've already dissed his analogy....let's not over-do it.
But we all have our tweezers.

 

[Thief]

I've already dissed his analogy....let's not over-do it.
But we all have our tweezers.

I shall be nice.....and refrain to ask what you use them for

 

[Revoltingest]

I shall be nice.....and refrain to ask what you use them for

Splinters (removing...not installing) & locksmithing

 

[Thief]

Splinters (removing...not installing) & locksmithing

I knew it......a lock picker

 

[Revoltingest]

I knew it......a lock picker

One uses tweezers for re-pinning cylinders....not lock picking.
Although I've done the latter (poorly) too.

 

[Jim]

In the heat of debate, why do some of you feel the need to behave like a jerk or be disrespectful to get your point across?

I've been in heated debates, while I occasionally resort to sarcasm or snark either to get my point across or to inject humor, I do my best to maintain a level of respect for the person with which I'm engaged.

I wonder why others here struggle to do the same. Would you walk up to someone on the street and speak with someone the way you do here? I'm sure some of you would have your bell rung for the lack of respect you display here if you displayed such in real life.

Is it because you have a degree of anonymity here?

Does behaving like a jerk to others somehow make you feel better about yourself?

It would be helpful to me if you would tell me what possible good you saw that might come out of this discussion when you started it.

 

[SalixIncendium]

It would be helpful to me if you would tell me what possible good you saw that might come out of this discussion when you started it.

Awareness.

Awareness of how one’s behavior:

• can potentially impact another.
• can potentially impact oneself.
• can potentially impact productivity of a discussion or debate.
• appears to others who see it.

 

[Jim]

Awareness.

Awareness of how one’s behavior:

• can potentially impact another.
• can potentially impact oneself.
• can potentially impact productivity of a discussion or debate.
• appears to others who see it.

Okay, thanks.