It's hard to avoid arguing

[Remathilis]

There's a Monty Python skit about this somewhere. Something about the difference between argument and abuse and the difference between argument and mindless contradiction.

No there isn't. You're wrong.

 

[JeffB]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y]YouTube - Argument Clinic[/ame]

 

[FireLance]

A question one could ask themselves is why they feel the need to respond? What is the benefit or perceived benefit from doing it?

There is absolutely no benefit in responding whatsoever. Anyone who gets into an argument with me should bear that firmly in mind.

 

[ExploderWizard]

YouTube - Argument Clinic

Awesome. I think one problem here is that people THINK they are posting for a good argument, when in reality they are simply posting for an argument.

I love that sketch.

 

[Stalker0]

(1) Some people simply do not know how to argue. It's not a matter of being right, or being wrong, or the subject in question being a matter of opinion (which, contrary to seemingly popular belief, does not automatically exempt it from argument). It is, instead, a fundamental inability to construct an argument.

To me this is the factor of a message boards ability to throw raw numbers of arguments at an issue.

Popular opinion carries in an inherent psychological force of credibility. If 20 people just made threads that says "I hate 4e" with nothing but some mindless blathering, there argument would gain some credibility simply because there aren't an equal number of threads contradicting it. Its the end old "everyone's saying it, so it must be true".

What that means is that a group can "win" arguments simply be repeating the same unstructured argument time and time again.

That said, I think message board arguments can be great, but agree with Jeff that people need to take a bit of time with their arguments. If you are actively countering someone's opinion, the least you can do is check your facts and read your post a few time to ensure clear meaning.

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

Heh, this is sounding more and more like a "Survivors of the Edition Wars Support Group"

...which is perfectly fine, we needed it

 

[Edgewood]

As you can tell from my join date and post count, I don't post much. Mainly I don't have the time but in addition, I don't really like to. I find that if there is a discussion and I decide to join said discussion, someone typically comes along to deconstruct a post line by line (not necessarily mine) which I find somewhat aggravating. There are certain unnamed posters who I describe as "The answer to a question no one asked." type of poster.

Generally I like the EnWorld community and I have never used the ignore feature but there are those who are coming close to being on my list.

 

[Dragon Snack]

Count me in with the people who normally don't pay attention to usernames and avatars. Although there are a few people who stick out when they do post something that makes me look to see who wrote it - both good and bad.

Discussion is good. Debate can be good. These are exchange of ideas between people with different opinions.

A rose by any other name. There's a fine line between discussion and argument, often times which one is occurring depends on the observer...

However, if we're going to split hairs, a 'debate' is usually a contest with winners and losers (at the very least, each side is trying to win). I would say that's more detrimental to the tone of the message boards than an argument any day. As others have mentioned, it's the people that try to flood the boards with their opinion so that it looks "right" that are the biggest annoyance.

People can walk away from an argument (rationalizing that the other side is just an idiot), but if they're championing a cause they are too invested to lose (even if the other side IS just an idiot)...

 

[Nightchilde-2]

I'm on everyone's ignore list. Including my own. I can't even tell if this message actually posted!

(No, seriously though, everyone loves me and thinks I smell like rainbows)

 

[Dice4Hire]

I'm on everyone's ignore list. Including my own. I can't even tell if this message actually posted!

(No, seriously though, everyone loves me and thinks I smell like rainbows)

I would respond to this, but you will probably never see it anyway,.