armalite41 opened this issue on Apr 08, 2005 ยท 71 posts
XENOPHONZ posted Fri, 08 April 2005 at 9:17 PM
Told you it was whacky but since, as mentioned above, there is no way that the two sides are going to agree with each other, just provide a place for them to Not Agree.
This idea has been suggested before in various formulations.
The problem with the thought of a "separate" forum is that unlike in Las Vegas, what happens in the "separate" forum doesn't stay there. It ends up by spreading the joy all around the rest of the site.
In fact, the things that "happen" (it's not an accident) in Las Vegas don't stay there either, but it makes for good -- although completely fake -- PR to claim that it does.
I am about as thick-skinned as they come. But I have reached the conclusion that constant fighting isn't the best investment of my personal time. Even though I occasionally enjoy situations where everyone is attempting to prove that they are the smartest person in the room -- the exercise can be as empty as intergalactic space.
In the final analysis, an online debate can be about as useful as burning up ants with a manifying glass. And about as deep in the level of its petty cruelty.
Sure, I'll still stick my head into the lion's mouth if I feel that such precipitous actions are called for.......and if the cause is just.
But frequently, the goal of an online debate (or brawl) is not to reach a thoughtful, reasoned conclusion to a matter. And the purpose isn't to get others to see things in a new light.
Rather -- the ultimate goal is to WIN. Plain and simple. To be Top Dog. To show the rest of 'em how it's done.
Give the man an award. One that equals the value of his accomplishment.
In 100 years, it'll all be vitally important. Guaranteed.