OTC Debate Guidelines

@Jhim: We have no problem with countervailing opinions. However, it is a wise person who learns the tone of the thread he is walking into and adapts his message to it. For example, I wouldn't waltz into a thread about Linux, start extolling the virtues of Windows, and not expect to get flamed for it.

We tend to be fairly liberal here in OTC, and as such if a conservative wishes to debate us, he'd do well to avoid copy-pasting from Conservapedia or citing Limbaugh's paleolithic bile spewings as factual truth.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with moderation.

Edit: ... except in as much as we get called in to deal with the fights that break out when someone barges into a thread and tries to take it over.

edited 1st Apr '13 6:02:16 PM by Fighteer

That is fine, but shouldn't a user expect to be allowed to go into a thread about OS and calmly say "I'm sorry guys I don't like Linux, I prefer windows here is why:"?

And also, shouldn't the guideline be highlighting the culture of the OTC (or rather, the culture that we want to cultivate) anyway?

Politely debating the merits of various operating systems in a thread about operating systems is okay.

Going into a thread about Linux and saying that Windows is the only good OS is trolling.

edited 1st Apr '13 6:13:41 PM by DrunkGirlfriend

And this is where treating the echo chamber effect properly comes into effect. When someone politely explains the case with a respectful tone and expecting a serious talk, the response should likewise be polite. "All right, we have someone with an opinion we're not used to, so let's 1) actually analyze his/her post and 2) explain to the newcomer what we think and why (in the scope of that post)." Recognize when we have a "newcomer" to the thread where there was consensus before; don't ignore the person and continue acting as before when there wasn't a major disagreement. That's really what I wanted to highlight.

One important distinction, though. Going into a Linux thread is not the same as going into an Operating Systems thread with a large Linux-user population. In a general OS thread, you are not presupposing that the topic is Linux. Therefore the responsibility is on the group to give proper treatment to each entering member, who is not obliged to stick to Linux - though as De Marquis and others said, it's wise for that member to get familiar with what people are saying before resorting to threadhop.

If the thread was actually titled "Linux Discussion", the responsibility falls more on that one person. Coming to a Linux thread aimed at Linux users and starting to say "Linux is bad, I like Windows" can easily be seen as trolling. You need to have a good reason why you would need to bring up Windows in the first place, lest it's seen as being done out of spite.

edited 1st Apr '13 6:42:17 PM by Trivialis

Do not the guidelines as written guard sufficiently well against trolling?

I don't think they do. Then again, the line between "trolling" and "debating" is incredibly thin.

Eg; espousing a controversial opinion because you think it may bring new light to the debate is not trolling. Espousing a controversial opinion because you want to cause trouble is.

There's no good way to determine which is which.

edited 1st Apr '13 6:57:35 PM by DrunkGirlfriend

Well, we can only do so much. I think the guidelines as written are probably the best we can do, unless someone has a suggestion of language to add. In addition, I think they will contribute in a positive way to the culture at OTC, if not the rest of the forum.

Anyone want any further changes? Shall we sticky them?

I'd like to write up the guidelines as a fresh OP. Someone provide a draft, please.

In what form do you want this draft? Because, you know, it's on the sandbox page.

edited 9th Apr '13 11:43:45 AM by DeMarquis

The draft for the post, not the sandbox.

The sandbox is the draft for the post.

Posted and pinned.

Yes! Thank you! [fist bumps all around] Now if we can just get people to read them...

Wow, that look even better than when it was on draft.

Colours!

You want to people to notice debate guidelines for actual debate I suggest starting a debate specific thread and linking to the guidelines.

Give them a whirl as it were.

huh, ya' think? Any suggestions regarding what debate to start off with? It should be something that will attract a fair number of participants.

abortion vs...

/Is shot.

Um. If there's such a thing as natural human rights? Drag up the objective vs subjective morality thing?

Something to do with Obama? Gun violence? Furries vs. Ponies?

Um, why do we need a specific topic?

to create a new thread that revolves around a debate that we can link to the guidelines. It's a way to introduce the guidelines to the tropers.

I am not sure if we should do this too deliberately.

You see some problems?

Well, not really. I just don't really see the need to deliberately start a thread just so as to "sell the guideline". Firstly there are debates going on and off around at the moment (Margaret Thatcher comes to mind) and secondly it has been stickied below the rules so people will read them and thirdly we already have this.