Would you like to see a forum dedicated to debate?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-28 02:46pm

In my opinion, SLAM is getting riddled with debate-specific topics, which are not explicitly included in its stated purpose. I'm frankly getting tired of people running over to some creationist web board, making a post and then running back here to brag about it in SLAM. Not only is it irritating and stupid, but it qualifies as spam. This isn't a social club, so no one should feel like he has to "prove" anything by antagonizing creationist boards.

However, I also know that this behavior won't stop. Newbies will continue to be stupid, and social miscreants will continue to think that showing off their "1337 d3b473 ski11z" will make them "cool" or whatever. So, I propose making a new forum specifically dedicated to debate and debate practices. You can offer advice and exchange debate ideas in this forum. You could post any debates you've been in, ask for evaluation of your techniques, wording and the like. Since this board prides itself on debate, it would seem like a no-brainer to have a forum specifically dedicated to the topic.

StarshipTitanic · Post by **StarshipTitanic** » 2003-07-28 03:23pm

Wouldn't that turn SLAM into a forum to post news, but news on SLAM topics?

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2003-07-28 03:26pm

Would it be to debate all non-fiction topics, or just slam related ones?

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2003-07-28 03:28pm

Durandal wrote: Since this board prides itself on debate, it would seem like a no-brainer to have a forum specifically dedicated to the topic.

Well, there's a defining statement if I ever heard one. I say yes.

But I sure wanted to vote "Taco-Flavored Kisses"!

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-28 03:34pm

StarshipTitanic wrote:Wouldn't that turn SLAM into a forum to post news, but news on SLAM topics?

Not at all. SLAM would be reserved for actual debates and discussions involving science, logic and morality. Anything being purely debate related (like people antagonizing other boards or posting their debate transcripts) would be moved to the debate forum.

I really don't care, either way. If no one wants this forum, then I'll simply start locking the kinds of topics I've been mentioning.

SyntaxVorlon · Post by **SyntaxVorlon** » 2003-07-28 03:56pm

Basically a launcher for the SD.Net Debating Armada. Something tells me Talen will be putting that in his favorites list, next to the pr0n.
I am in favor of this, and taco flavored kisses...
What kind of taco?

Mitth`raw`nuruodo · Post by **Mitth`raw`nuruodo** » 2003-07-28 04:16pm

I vote Nay. I don't really think it will attract enough people on just that idea.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-28 04:41pm

SyntaxVorlon wrote:Basically a launcher for the SD.Net Debating Armada. Something tells me Talen will be putting that in his favorites list, next to the pr0n.

I guess you could see it that way. I just want the spam and posturing out of my forum.

InnerBrat · Post by **InnerBrat** » 2003-07-28 05:17pm

Ummm....

Didn't we use to have a private forum that covered this, only for it to be deleted due to inactivity?

Hmmm?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-28 05:22pm

innerbrat wrote:Ummm....

Didn't we use to have a private forum that covered this, only for it to be deleted due to inactivity?

Hmmm?

I remember that the idea was previously suggested, but I don't remember having a private forum devoted to it.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-07-28 05:27pm

Such things have a tendancy to die if targets are not present. But I have no objections.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-07-28 05:31pm

It could also be a useful place for less experience debaters to work on their technique without worrying about getting the Imperial Smackdown, and for those who like to play Devil's advocate to have fun.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-07-28 05:41pm

I dunno. Ive been gaining exp in slam.

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-07-28 09:06pm

I think that a forum specifically for debating MIGHT be a good idea, but I've no real opinion on the matter. I have been TRYING to get up my debating skills here in SLAM, and so far, it's worked fine. Well, for the most part. But anywho, I abstain. And I'm in favor of Choco-taco flavored kisses.

~ver

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2003-07-29 12:40am

Debates in general, or for a specific topic?

I think the system is fine as it is.

Traceroute · Post by **Traceroute** » 2003-07-29 05:12am

It doesn't seem to be that common of a problem ... simply requesting and enforcing a specific topic title format might be a more durable solution.

For instance, preface all topics of this nature with "DEBATE HELP" or something like that. If newbies don't do it, just add it in.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-07-30 12:22am

Most of the debate would still be religious, though...

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-07-30 01:03am

-readies copies of debates-

Companion Cube · Post by **Companion Cube** » 2003-07-30 07:36am

Yeah, it's not a bad idea.

Mmm, Tacos.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-30 11:53am

Traceroute wrote:It doesn't seem to be that common of a problem ... simply requesting and enforcing a specific topic title format might be a more durable solution.

For instance, preface all topics of this nature with "DEBATE HELP" or something like that. If newbies don't do it, just add it in.

If that was the case, then I'd probably lock most of them because this isn't a debate help forum.

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2003-07-30 03:29pm

Would I use said hypothetical forum? Probably not, since I usually don't participate in debates. However, I would support the creation of such a forum. Mmm...tacos.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-07-30 04:01pm

I would most definantly use such a forum...

Post by **Lagmonster** » 2003-07-30 04:35pm

I don't see it as strictly necessary, mainly because I believe that the impetus for creating said forum is as a holding pen for spammy debate threads consisting mainly of unending streams of quotes taken from your average fundie nitwit on bulletin boards from here to China. If something is spammy, smack it. Moving it under the rug doesn't make it less spam.

That said, I don't see a problem with an actual debate forum, other than the fact that we rarely get more than one or two honest debates at a time, and any pure-blood formal debates get stickied.

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2003-07-31 11:06am

Even more forums? Ugh. I vote no.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-31 01:45pm

All right, the masses have spoken. I don't think there are enough "Yes" votes to justify creating the forum, so I'll withdraw my request to create it and put up a warning about me-too, vulture and showboating threads.

Thread locked.

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Would you like to see a forum dedicated to debate?

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Would you like to see a forum dedicated to debate?