Arguing/Debating

[Fusion X. Denver]

I've seen various members on YCM over the years who were more argumentative than others, some less. I'm curious how everyone approaches it online and IRL.

Personally, I'm a shitty arguer. Even if there's a point that I feel validates my stance that I'm defending against my friends, I don't do the best job expressing it and I end up losing. That, and I'm averse to conflict, so the longer the argument, the more tired of it I am and I'll just consent, for better or worse. Online, I'll rarely get involved in an argument. It's nowhere near worth it to me.

 

I have a friend who's the opposite and argues all the time, healthily most of the time. And I will say some great conversation can come from debates/arguments when both sides are open-minded and level-headed about it.

 

What do you think?

[Lunar Origins]

obligatory BRING BACK DEBATES, DAMNIT!  WE WANT DARK, WE WANT CRAB HELMET

 

--

 

but seriously, debates are great.  especially if you're losing; it helps you realize a new way of thinking, and you learn a bit.  personally, i'm sheet tier at debating, too, so you won't find me attempting to fight for what i believe in on ycm.  lol

[vla1ne]

I love debating IRL and online, but i prefer most of the time to sit back and watch unless there's something i think really needs to be addressed.

 

I'm not god tier at arguing, but i know how to get my point across, and i personally think i'm rather polite during discussions (as far as not throwing insults anyways, outside of that, i don't censor myself if i think it'll detract from my point.) I consider arguments necessary to get to know people better, even when i can't agree with somebody, learning more about them usually helps me to not actually dislike them so much as simply disagree with them.

[Snatch Steal]

debates are crap. stay away from them at all costs. literally flush yourself down the toilet before you debate.

 

debates all come down to who has a mental breakdown first. friends and family become lost, people close to you seem not even to have existed. you even come apart from yourself as your self esteem is whittled down by the ridicule of the victor.

 

that's my take on it. don't debate me.

[ENMaker]

Arguing is fun.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

Either with idiots is painful

[Makο]

I come from a very argumentative family, where everyone is trying to get the last word in at all times. Despite this, I tend to enjoy arguing about things, although it gets frustrating if the other person won't bend even a little. Like, I'm not asking you to accept my point of view, but you can at least say you understand it. That's all I ask.

[Dad]

I come from a very argumentative family, where everyone is trying to get the last word in at all times. Despite this, I tend to enjoy arguing about things, although it gets frustrating if the other person won't bend even a little. Like, I'm not asking you to accept my point of view, but you can at least say you understand it. That's all I ask.

 

That's the biggest problem.  A lot of people associate understanding with acceptance, and that's not the case.  Nor should it be, ever.

[Shradow]

Personally, I'm a shitty arguer. Even if there's a point that I feel validates my stance that I'm defending against my friends, I don't do the best job expressing it and I end up losing. That, and I'm averse to conflict, so the longer the argument, the more tired of it I am and I'll just consent, for better or worse. Online, I'll rarely get involved in an argument.

 

This is me to a T.

[Spinny]

I'm okay at debating but I've become a lot more passive on YCM over the last year. Recently, unless I have a sudden spark of enthusiasm or someone is being exceptionally dumb, I'll just leave other people to sort them out.

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

I come from a very argumentative family, where everyone is trying to get the last word in at all times. Despite this, I tend to enjoy arguing about things, although it gets frustrating if the other person won't bend even a little. Like, I'm not asking you to accept my point of view, but you can at least say you understand it. That's all I ask.

This is me except I hate it. However I always feel if I don't explain myself I'm doing something wrong. That if someone gets angry at my opinion, or flat out says I'm wrong, I must not be saying it right. So I keep trying to explain and it gets worse and worse.

I hate arguments but find it hard to avoid them. Getting better, I hope.

[Ryusei the Morning Star]

That's the biggest problem.  A lot of people associate understanding with acceptance, and that's not the case.  Nor should it be, ever.

This really, like Dad and I have basically opposite views on a LOT of matter, yet we can be civil with each other. You don't need to agree with others, just accept that they're different than you

[epicmemesbro]

What I usually do is stray away from posting topics that I know will cause drama. I keep putting off a few topics because I know some people on here won't be able to handle them. Oddly enough I don't get into any heated argument on here. That may be because I'm ignored when compared to someone who's argument is alot more emotion invoking. Even if I do get involved, I almost never take any flak for some strange reason. I think those that are viewed as responsible for some incident aren't really to blame but rather those that are pointing the finger.

[Johan Liebert]

I've been told by a lot of people that I'd be so good for speech and debate, but I decided not to go into the national thing for many reasons. My largest setback is that my skill depends solely on my emotional state, and I've had a shitty life, so it's rare that I'm ever at 100%, let alone 60%. Also, when I debate, I often let my emotions and personal experiences influence my words too much. And ignorant/narrow-minded people piss me off. I hate arguing, but I end up doing it a lot, mainly because I'm rarely heard by anyone.

[Zauls]

I enjoy a good debate, but I mostly just stick to online because I'm absolutely atrocious at speaking my mind and getting my point across by speaking. I'm a terrible speaker in general.

 

Honestly, I really believe that debating is something that should be taught in schools. Being able to construct and counter arguments, form an opinion and come to a conclusion is a skill that is much more valuable and more difficult than a lot of people realize. Teaching people how to debate properly will have huge benefits personally and for society.

[Tinkerer]

I am naturally good at arguing. However, I'm bad at having a strong enough opinion that would be worth arguing.

[cr47t]

Well sometimes I would get in a debate or two with a friend, probably because one of my main things is politics and that does have some debating sometimes.

I try to keep my opinions or thought to myself when I should, though.

[Fusion X. Denver]

Honestly, I really believe that debating is something that should be taught in schools. Being able to construct and counter arguments, form an opinion and come to a conclusion is a skill that is much more valuable and more difficult than a lot of people realize. Teaching people how to debate properly will have huge benefits personally and for society.

My friend had a class like that at his charter school. They had to write papers and do presentations on them every week, usually followed by a discussion on the material from two sides. He's the friend that I usually lose to because he's so damn good at constructing his argument as well as quickly defending or rebutting points.