Uninviting

[Aurura]

I have read many Serious Discussion threads here in JRef Forum, taking time to read different thoughts and opinions from folks here. It's really painful that many topics must become harsh and bitter once any hint of difference in opinion is detected.

Discussions are very uninviting if (by evidence of many past threads) a moral, spiritual or just random topic will be inevitably met with direct insult for a response.

I wish that wasn't the norm here in "Serious Discussion".

[Jericho Desu]

Alot of guys here have pretty strong opinions about things and always like to challenge anyone who says different. It has brought about some good discussions when both parties have a good grasp of what they're saying, but this has lead to the feeling that people can't express an opinion without preparing to "wage war" so to speak with people who like to pick at any minor detail. I've had my share of this kind of experience especially in the early days and sometimes it felt like I was being bullied, but that's just the way it is unfortunetly.

[Derfel]

When you decide to post a thread, you voluntarily submit it for scrutiny. The nature of scrutiny will depend on the user-base. It is unfortunate that people may find discussions uninviting, but thats how things are. Think of Serious Discussion as a piece of academia within the forums.

It has brought about some good discussions when both parties have a good grasp of what they're saying, but this has lead to the feeling that people can't express an opinion without preparing to "wage war"

Wage war? That sounds good. I never actually used this expression for posting, it definitely sounds good. Yeah! Wage f*cking war!

[Jericho Desu]

Wage war? That sounds good. I never actually used this expression for posting, it definitely sounds good. Yeah! Wage f*cking war!

I thought you might like that, I guess we're gonna be seeing you post more often in SD now :D

[Tsuyoiko]

Discussions here might get a bit heated at times, but they are extremely civil compared to what I have experienced at other forums. It's rare here to see someone's argument ridiculed, whereas that is the norm elsewhere.

I have been told at other forums that my argument is "the most ridiculous argument ever seen on the forum", complete with various expletives. The handful of people here who think it's OK to be rude are usually just trolls anyway, and for the most part I avoid responding to them. Don't feed the trolls!

I belong to another forum where discussions of politics are completely banned, as is any personal reference to another poster, however tame. I have received a warning there just for saying "I think you would benefit from reading more about xxx", as that was construed as a personal comment! I think this forum is a happy medium between those two extremes.

Just remember two things if someone appears to be attacking you personally. Firstly, their attack is not truly personal since they hardly know you; they are attacking your opinion, not you. Secondly, if they attack you personally it's because they can't find a better way to refute your opinion.

As Derfel says, when you post here you have to expect scrutiny; that's what serious discussion is about. If you aren't prepared to have your opinion challenged then don't post it here. The best way to make sure your opinion is respected is to back it up with evidence. If you can't do that, then at least be absolutely clear that what you offer is only your own uncorroborated opinion.