How to be taken seriously in a discussion

I take offense to that.

• Hyperbole is not your friend.
• Neither is name-calling.
• Neither are overt generalizations.
• Neither is "Shut up".
• Remember: It's just a debate on the internet, I should really just relax.
• You can't retcon yourself. If you said something stupid, accept it and don't say it again.
• Unless you've got something to back it up, don't claim authority on a matter.

edited 27th Jul '12 11:09:50 AM by ThatOneGuyNamedX

I agree with everything that has been said here.

Anyway, one of the big advantages of the internet is that you can easily see what you're saying and how can it affect the other posters. Proof-read before you post. Avoid tyops, things that could sound insulting to the reader's intelligence and so on.

The best way of doing that is simply trying to read that and imagine how'd you feel if somebody told you these things.

edited 27th Jul '12 11:22:08 AM by MillerCross

Avoid the tendency to keep on repeating your own arguments without actually responding to the counter-arguments.

• Don't use image macros or the like to make a point.

Don't be too much of a Spelling Nazi / Grammar Nazi. And if you are... at least try not to make this your only point when you're out of ideas. xD

edited 27th Jul '12 12:26:09 PM by kay4today

• Godwin's Law doesn't mean you're required by law to compare your opponent to Hitler or the Nazis.
  • There was only 1 Adolf Hitler. And he has never been the President of The US.
  • Hitler Ate Sugar is not a valid argument. You're probably breathing right now. You know who else breathed? HITLER! (And if you're not breathing, neither is Hitler)

Ahh but here's the exception: I'm breathing only barely, so Hitler didn't do that to my knowledge therefore I am less Hitler than you and win the Internets.

Also and this is relevent to this post: don't try to debate or post when exhausted and punchy.

On the flip side, don't pile on someone after they post something like: hey guys, I'll be back tomorrow I can't see straight. Or what ever.

Also avoid pile-ons, one of the things I used to notice around here is there are certain issues where TV Tropes had really monolithic views. This made it so if one person disagreed they often had to respond to 6 people per post. Back off, and slow yourself down if you're in a super majority like that.

If that person is really pissing you off (oh boy has that happened) remember, it's an argument on the internet, with someone you're likely to never meet, who's arguing a point that's in a clear minority. It really doesn't matter. Just take a deep breath and go do something more valuable than raging at internet people over dissenting opinions.

You know like watching paint dry.

I've mentioned this before but once again: just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they're evil. Try to assume people aren't arguing from a point of evil and don't paint all your social and political enemies as evil. Heck, don't consider them enemies, they're simply dissenting opponents.

And my one plea as someone with an MA in a social science.

It's never easy, it's never black and white, don't assume you know more than you do, and don't be a dick about things.