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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Campbell" data-source="post: 7068670" data-attributes="member: 16586">Just using this as a jumping on point because I have something to say.I do not think it is particularly helpful to think of this discussion in terms of a debate with sides.  As I tend to view things it is often counterproductive and leads us down roads where we engage in points and counterpoints, rather than meaningfully chewing over the underlying ideas, really thinking them over, and responding with how we view things.One of the hardest parts of being involved in these sorts of discussions on the internet is the pervasive culture of debate. In my own posts I try to do a couple of things that I believe help to counter the usual effects of internet debate culture.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I do not engage in multiquote point by point analysis. I believe this helps me to stay focused on engaging ideas over engaging in debate. It also creates some emotional distance between what I am responding to and the ideas I am putting forward.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Whenever possible I try to highlight differences of opinion between myself and those I broadly agree with in some ways. Often I find these are the most fruitful avenues to go down. As an example, in this thread I have highlighted how I am not always particularly interested in constant conflict and escalation in the "go to the action" variety. In the future I shall strive to do this more.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When I engage in lines of inquiry I try to do so with genuine interest. I really want to know what people have to say about things. That is no guarantee that I will necesarily agree with the things they have to say, but I will strive to engage with what they have to say. I do not always succeed in this endeavor.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> When people say things that I find particularly irksome I try to take some time to chew on it until there is some emotional distance. This is a constant struggle for me. My passions runs deep and my temper often gets the best of me.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> I strive to only speak for myself and not for others. This can sometimes be very difficult. There are posters on this board I regard as friends on some level, and I am deeply protective of my friends. We are still not like the same person though and often see things very differently.</li> </ul>I am not saying that you have to stop engaging in debate and move more towards analysis. It's my favored approach to discussion and scholarship of all sorts, but I cannot tell anyone how or what they should think. I can only say the things that I think in a way that I believe will shed light on certain things. I mainly just wanted everyone to know where I am coming from and the sort of approach I will be striving for in the future.There are many lines of discussion that I feel are worth responding to, but I am unsure that within this thread is necessarily the best place to do so. Later today I will have some additional meta commentary that I believe will help build some understanding of where I specifically am coming from.</blockquote>

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