Shag, but isn't it hard to frame a discussion if you don't know where there may be some confluence of ideas?
That would be where the discussion would
start, then.
Political views - I don't know - there are certainly some where we line up - just as you and foss and cal do. But, why we line up - who knows - to the extent even within an issue - I don't know. For instance - do either of them believe in late term abortions - haven't a clue. We are liberals - but there certainly are many points where we could be very different.
And, why we are the same, or why we are different is also very interesting, quite often more interesting than the difference itself.
If you are going to look at the differences between your liberal views and their liberal views, then there are going to be certain things in the framing of the debate that are assumed that any non-liberal would not agree with. So, at that point, you would be effectively excluding any non-liberals views from the discussion.
And lets not pretend that either of those two are, the vast majority of the time, doing anything more then stirring the pot, especially Johnny. They are trolling.
So, I have to ask;
are all opinions equal?
If someone is offering an opinion that is not at all relevant to the debate and is clearly only aimed at antagonizing someone, should that opinion be considered in the debate? What if the opinion is tangentially relevant, but is clearly an exaggeration with no basis in reality and is clearly aimed at antagonizing should that be considered in the debate? If they are not willing to respond to counter arguments but simply keep asserting what they say is true in a more and more aggressive manner should their opinion be considered in a discussion? Basically, Does trollish behavior have any place in a discussion?
Don't start rambling on about "formal debate" vs. "friendly discussion". That is not what this is about. It is only a catty attempt to perpetuate a false stereotype and you know it.
I am honestly trying to understand what your boundaries are in a debate (discussion, whatever you wanna call it). Where is the line for appropriate and inappropriate? You clearly have some boundaries because you claim I am being rude at times, apparently indicating that is inappropriate to the debate; that I have crossed your line of appropriate and inappropriate. Where do you draw the line?
You seem to be fighting me on this...
So, we have two questions:
- Are all opinions equal?
- Is trollish behavior acceptable in a discussion?
