Debate forum

We normally add new sections when there is a proven demand due to the number of threads about a subject or whatever in other sections. Have there been many threads of this nature recently that could go in that section?

 

I actually think this is a good idea, which is rare for these "new forum subsection" threads. There are often times when I refrain from posting in a subject because I don't want to sound too heated or stir up argument. It's not like I'm considering coming out and flaming someone (lol super pun), but that I don't really want to detract from the informational value of the thread. While some debate does take place in chit chat, I feel there's this huge stress on being "tame," so to speak, that somewhat takes away from what some threads could become. Granted, it does run its risks. It could, however, be used to debate current happenings and issues, which could then kill 2 birds with one stone. We've had threads asking for a new "Current Events" section, and now we have a thread asking for a "Debate" section... it seems to me that adding a "Current Events/Debate" section with less emphasis on entirely agreeable conversation would meet a lot of people's wants.

To list some recent threads that could fall under a Current Events/Debate section:

http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8981
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9252
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9249
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8127
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9132
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9089
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8645
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8544

Those are ones that jumped out from the first 6 pages of Chit Chat, although I'm sure I missed at least 1 or 2.


From Ent/Tech:

http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9210
http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9003


From Health/WB:

http://emptyclosets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8383


So, there are a variety of threads that could fall under such a section. Some others that I didn't list specific threads of but know exist are threads that deal with religion. There are all sorts of threads that could fall under a CE/Debate section. That's not to say that they don't fit sort of well in the others, but a new section might be nice.

 

how about a rant forum?

 

Yep, I'd be in support of that

 

good point. a debate forum would be cool.

 

Theres no need for a debate section, if you want to start a debate about politics, put it up in the chit chat section. If you want to start a debate over Microsoft vs Sony chuck it in the entertainment section.

 

Truth.

Yes there are a few "debate" style threads popping up, though in response to your examples, a few of them were simply reporting current news and topics. Not every global news item posted in EC needs to be debated upon.

Debating threads also tend to get a bit heated on EC, and usually end up needing moderation of some form when a rule is broken (usually where someone expresses their view in a less than civil manner). This suggestion reminds me of another one a while ago, where it was suggested that we add a "Flame zone" forum, where people could rant/abuse as much as they wanted. Such a forum would encourage large amounts of abuse and attacks, which goes against what EC is about. Similar to a "Flame Zone" - a Debating forum would encourage EC members to debate each other in topics that have a tendancy to become quite heated and uncivil. While the mods are happy with the current number of debating topics (and the way they turn out) - we don't feel it's appropriate at this stage to be actively endorsing them.

For now, feel free to post them in their appropriate forum section - and of course we're more than happy to reassess the need for a debating forum in the future if the need for one arises.

 

Sadly at the moment, the two aren't far off each other. This is evident in the already existing debating topics - there are a number of now-unseen posts in there that the mod team have been swift in deleting for the simple reason that members can be quite heated when a strong opinion is presented. Tho, I already covered in my post:

I guess I forgot to mention that the topic really isn't up for debate (heh) and the mods' minds are made up. Feel free to continue discussing it if you like, but please keep this in mind.

 

What do you mean by 'heated' if you mean they are attacking other MEMBERS then they should be deleted (eg, saying they are stupid for believing that) but if they are attacking their OPINION it shouldn't be deleted, because thats how discussions go.

 

"Heated" refers to both in this case.

Saying "You're stupid for believing this" is obviously not allowed. (Attacking another member)

And saying "You're opinion is stupid" is generally undesirable as well. Just because someone's opinion differs from your own does not make it inferior.

 

^ Exactly. When discussions become heated here they nearly always result in people insulting each other, and the insults etc sometimes spread into other threads or the chatroom.

Debating should remain focused on the issue and not on the people expressing their opinions, but that is difficult to achieve and generally doesn't happen that way here.

With the recent discussion in the "ec going downhill" thread about trying to bring people together I think a section that has the potential to drive people apart is not what we need. EC is first and foremost a support site and should feel friendly and welcoming to all.

I'm closing this thread (I'm closing loads today - sorry!) because it's not going to happen in the form proposed.

Other sections here are for specific subject areas (often very broad) rather than specific ways of conducting the discussion. It is more likely that any new sections would be for subject areas that have plenty of existing threads and would benefit from being grouped in a section.