Heated debates....

I don't know if it was you or someone else on that other thread mentioned that they would like to have debates/discussions about certain topics.  I can understand that...I bet they would be facinating to read.  I was wondering if we could do something like that by adding the word Debate in the subject line, like "Debate" Haltis or Martingales?  KWIM?
 
Sue

ORIGINAL: Sue and Buddy

I don't know if it was you or someone else on that other thread mentioned that they would like to have debates/discussions about certain topics. I can understand that...I bet they would be facinating to read. I was wondering if we could do something like that by adding the word Debate in the subject line, like "Debate" Haltis or Martingales? KWIM?

Sue

Excellent point: to consider the information that is presented by each thread's original poster. Just like dogs, people generally find it easier to follow rules, once they are clearly stated!

It is the OP's responsibility to set the tone for their thread, to be a kind of micro-moderator, of sorts. We are adults, we can say what we want from each other: debate, advice, confirmation, sympathy, etc. People could be a lot more descriptive and careful with their subject lines! [X(] I'm not suggesting respondents will automatically "follow the rules", but, hey, how about everyone taking responsibility!?

Often times, OP's are hot and worked up after a stressful event, we are looking for help/reacting to something. SO, our posts are not clear or are not focused. If we are new or sensitive, we sometimes complain about our rough treatment, but take no responsibility for our messy initial query. Respondents could, and often do, help us focus our inquiry, but, OTOH ...

Many of us come here seeking FREE advice for problems. How snappy of us to criticize the tone of voice in which free advice is dispensed to us!! I hate seeing really knowledgeable people apologizing for their "tone" when newbies bruise easily from responses to a hyper, messy original post!

I hope you don't mind, I'm going to repeat this post in the "fear of posting ..." thread:http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=291706&mpage=8

It is something to consider, yes, that we all have a place to be respectful, diplomatic, and mature in our discussions.

However, one thing where I have come to notice differences is some of the following:
1) Disagreement is NOT flaming. Just because somebody doesn't agree with you, and even if they SAY so, does not mean they are in any way disrespecting you. It simply means they disagree with what you've said, or they think differently.
2) When you post on a public forum, you are always open to being disagreed with, or having questions asked of you, or even having additional (although sometimes not asked for) advice given. That's just the joy of a public forum, people are free to express themselves and I do feel that posters need to realize that when they make a post.
3) Name-calling and sarcasm are NOT welcome by most people, and yes, can easily be seen as being rude and offensive (which it usually is). Sure, state your case, there is a good way to do it and a bad way to do it. Do it the good way to prevent hurting feelings.
4) Oftentimes people take advice as people being rude to them (most times actually this does not occur on behalf of the OP but with the people within the thread). I've seen time and time again where people try to explain alternative methods to what somebody else has mentioned, they kindly explain why THEY feel that way, and then turn around and see themselves being told off and harassed because of expressing and opinion.
5) If you can't accept disagreement, if you can't accept a bit of friendly debate (when somebody states clearly why THEY feel the way they do, and give evidence to back themselves up), if you can't kindly take advice (even if you aren't going to use it!), if you have a hard time discussing things maturely, sometimes it's better to just not post at all. [] 

They get heated due to ignorance.  Prejudicial comments which are based on ignorant stances and then refusal to get straight on their "thoughts"...they continue to blindly trudge where no man is safe from their ignorance.  Countries do fall due to ignorance.  :  )
 
Attempts to show or teach are faulted by the stumbling block of ignorance. (doesn't matter how delicately you try to approach the subject) Terminology is beat all to he!! and the best thing to do is get a book and fahgetaboutit.
 

To be honest, if people were always so sickeningly sweet to one another, no one would ever have thrown the tea off the Beavah into Boston Hahbah. I'm glad they did.
 Sometimes a little passion is fine.  It's what tells people that there IS a debate on certain issues, and that what they hear from the first poster who answers them might not be the advice they want to take.
Anyone who is offended by anything I say on the training forum is certainly welcome to come to Massachusetts and pay me my $60/hr. fee to be nice to them.  Unfortunately, the information is the same as the free stuff they'd get here, with just a little less salsa. [] 
dogslife, if you send people to the library, try to remember that they might only find Cesar's Way, or the Monks there.  At least give them the link to Dowise.com's top ten books for pet owners. [][]
Oh-oh, are we about to have another meltdown over library books? [sm=eek.gif][sm=devil.gif]

I don't know if it was you or someone else on that other thread mentioned that they would like to have debates/discussions about certain topics.

 
I suggested this a long time ago and it was poo-poo'd and it never happened.  I said that on other boards (a parenting board came to mind) they have debate sections for eople to post on.  If you don't like a heated debate, then don't go there!  It's that simple.  You can't imagine how heated a breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding debate can be, or whether or not to work or stay at home! []
 
It's an area designated for people to debate knowingly, and others that don't like conflict won't accidentally go there and be all offended.  Some people are very thick skinned and love debate.  Others are easily offended and run for cover!  It just clearly states what type of thread it is and then the individual can choose whether or not to participate.    

I like the idea of openly stating when you are starting a "debate" by including it in the post title..... There have been times I wanted to debate a topic with other knowledgeable people and I was accused of "baiting".  Maybe that wouldn't have happened if I'd put "Debate" in my topic title so everyone could clearly see what my intentions were in posting.... I'll remember it for the future.

I agree Mastiff! []
 
A specific debate area works very well on the boards which use them. It also puts the debates on "neutral" ground so that our "safety" zones for discussing the specific philosophies and methods of our choice, aren't constantly being disrupted.
 
Very good idea! []

To be honest, if people were always so sickeningly sweet to one another, no one would ever have thrown the tea off the Beavah into Boston Hahbah. I'm glad they did.
Sometimes a little passion is fine.

Yea! [sm=devil.gif]

Would a specific "debate" area negate the need for a seperate area for CM discussions? 
Might this break down the "them/us" barrier....?
Would it need heavy "policing"? 
Would it mean more work for moderators or less? 
....... and What does THIS [X(] mean?  I've always wondered.

Personally, when I post a topic, I assume debate. I tried to imagine what threads would be like without it and I can't. Would it be like information gathering? [&:] [sm=rolleyes.gif] It's not about the fact that we are debating, it's about how it's done.
If I am not the only one, maybe what we need then is a NO DEBATE prefix...

ORIGINAL: TinaK

To be honest, if people were always so sickeningly sweet to one another, no one would ever have thrown the tea off the Beavah into Boston Hahbah. I'm glad they did.
Sometimes a little passion is fine.

Yea! [sm=devil.gif]

 
I love it.  :  )

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Would a specific "debate" area negate the need for a seperate area for CM discussions? 
 

 
No. Not anymore than it would negate the need for a separate area for clicker training.
 
These areas are "safety" zones for the sharing of information and understanding specific terminologies by those who wish to learn about these methods and philosophies, in peace.
 

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Might this break down the "them/us" barrier....?

 
The "us vs them" attitude is a personal choice. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Would a specific "debate" area negate the need for a seperate area for CM discussions?



No. Not anymore than it would negate the need for a separate area for clicker training.

 
The clicker training area was set up after some of us pestered the mods for it.... I don't recall there being any unpleasantness in clicker training discussions just prior to it to prompt it.  My understanding is that the CM area was set up in direct response to some very "heated" debates... and the general feeling was that, on the whole setting the CM area apart made the board peaceful again.
 
WRT "us v them" you may be right in it being personal choice.....  but I just wonder if having the seperate area for CM exacerbates that, and whether just having a "heated debate" area (to include CM and any other "hot" issues) wouldn't do just as much to keep the peace without seperating the board into "cliques"..... That's probably the wrong word; I'm not explaining myself too well.  I hope you can see what I mean.