daf_and_the_debating_team Doar always surprises me, with logical (seemingly) arguements. but what surprises me more is that people are so ready to dispute ideas and concepts that don't agree with there own. maybe for fear of that "opinion" causing normally "sound" individuals to reverse their own beliefs and start a cult dedicated to someone's will. if you don't like the read, ignore it. if you don't agree with the words, buy a stinger and settle the fight. okay, i've fomented violence....see what you made me do!!! :) signing off now. 081001 ... dafremen Someone knows the rules..it's a very pleasing thing to read. Thanks. 081001 ... Lemon_Soda Hehehe... Not to belittle the intellectual contributions of the team, but I find most of these debates both enlightening and incredibly entertaining. 081002 ... jeff I'd rather debate and get squashed like a bug than not debate at all. Debating is a free flow of ideas and opinions and by no means should be belittled by any bystander. 081002 ... dafremen Thought I'd add a few more ideas to the pot for those who wish to see the free flow of ideas: Brainstorming In engineering, we'd NEVER critique ideas to make ideas flow. We'd critique ideas later on...in order to A) weed out notions that weren't plausible b) find the weak points in good ideas..followed up with ideas for perhaps rectifying or improving those weak points. But the brainstorming session itself (shown to be the most effective method for producing ideas) establishes a positive, contributory environment..not a confrontational one. It involves allowing everyone to speak their thoughts freely without fear of criticism. Discussion: Discussion is another good way to exchange ideas. In order for discussion to work...each side must feel free to express their notions without reproach or criticism. Since the whole concept of exchanging ideas isn't to kill ideas...but to let ideas flow.. Debating has been shown to be one of the less effective methods for exchanging ideas. (Although, as our friend above mentions..it's one method.) Generally, when someone is approached in a confrontational manner, their guard goes up and they are more careful with their words. This leads to both wasted time and wasted energy..with the introduction of very few new concepts. Generally a few points are chosen as the battleground of the debate and then focused on intensely. Debate is sport in my opinion. It's the intellectual's version of football or hockey. Just round after round of chatter that doesn't really accomplish much. It's something like a soapbox, since neither of the participants is usually speaking to each other, but rather vying for the audience's preference. Course it's always different to see a good scrap on the ice or on the field. Hell of a way to kill some time. Just my opinion of course. 081002 ... daf And of course, as LS mentions...it is a hell of a netertainment. Although it's best not to get emotionally attached if you REALLY want to enjoy the show. 081002 ... jeff i like the way i said it better. 081002 ... dafremen You're a real trooper jeff. I can't see any good reason why you shouldn't like the way you said it better. 081002 ... jeff you just want the last word, don't you? 081002 ... . daf doesn't want the last word, he wants the last wordS, all 352389 of them. 081002 ... dafremen Hmmm seems like we have a quandary doesn't it? Is there something wrong with my responding to blathes? Should I not do that? Does it go one way...or both? Is response an unacceptable form of expression here? Shall there be a blather_clique? Should those outside of peer approval hang their heads in shame? Is something bothering you about the way the world outside of you operates through its individuals? Should we make a rule against people who behave like I do? So many questions...so little time. Feel free to get the last word, jeff..and anonymous. After all...someone has to win...right? 081003 ... Lemon_Soda Hehehe... I think its ingrained in blather_culture to automatically respond to anything you post in the negative, daf. ;) 081003 ... jeff Okay, everyone. This is the last post on the page. I get the last word. If you have anything else to say, put it on daf_and_the_debating_team_part_2. Thank you. 081003 ... dafremen You're welcome. ; ) 081003 ... jeff fuck. 081003 ... dafremen You can say that again. 120116 what's it to you? who go blather from