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Read this first!
Topic Started: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:21 am (114 Views)
Etra
Level 22
Controversy is a forum where one topic will be chosen to be discussed for some period of time. The amount that is really depends on all of you. Few and infrequent posts will have a topic closed in as little as two days, or many and frequent posts can have a topic going for over two weeks. But be warned, you're able to post almost anything you want but the topics discussed will be relevant to your life, either in the immediate or distant future. It's in your best interests to have some knowledge before making a post. Also, being ignorant will only make you look like a fool. Asking questions to gain knowledge is fine. Posting as if you know something when you do not is very, very stupid.

To clarify, you can use profanity, post pornography, to some extent, and other such things. But there is a line. If you cross it, your post will be edited or deleted by me. Repeat offenders will have their account moderator previewed or suspended.

The topic will have to be started by me. But the second post will be made by the winner of the previous topic. That person will state his or her opinions on the topic, ask questions, or whatever to give room for anyone else that wants to agree, disagree, answer questions, or reply. From there, the topic can focus on the arguments that were brought up and/or it can branch out to a sub-topic. But to allow ordered, multiple conversations in a single thread, I'd like to ask each person that's posting to make it clear what they're addressing. For example:

  • Main topic 1: Whatever you want to say about the main topic.

  • Sub-topic 1: Whatever you want to say about sub-topic 1.

  • Sub-topic 2: Whatever you want to say about sub-topic 2.

  • Sub-topic n: Whatever you want to say about sub-topic n.
You don't have to address the main topic at all if you don't want to. But if you're going to reply, you better be doing so with something that's on-topic.

From there, people can pretty much do whatever they wish, agree with somebody, disagree with somebody, or bring up another topic. BUT, I want to make something very, very clear: you are free to attack another person's belief about something as long as you have some kind of support for your opposing belief and you are not attacking the holder of the belief. Don't be childish; just because somebody disagrees with you and states why (hopefully) does not mean you're stupid for holding that belief or that he or she is attacking you as a person. At least, he better not be. And I'd like to encourage people to keep an open mind when being argued with. There is almost never a clear and absolute right answer, you just have to see why the other person thinks you're wrong.

When I think the arguments are pretty much concluded, I will give at least a two day warning, close the topic, and create a poll that will last five days. The poll will consist of a list of every person that has made a relevant post in the thread, unless I am asked by a poster to be exempt from the poll. Then each person will be able to choose TWO people. I think it best to be able to choose two people because any argument is generally going to consist of two sides, with each side having one main proponent. As I've said before, we're not going to reach a decisive decision about anything of real importance so we won't have a "winner". And so by allowing you to choose two people instead of one, you don't have to try to determine which side of the issue is best, you can truly choose the people that you think argued the most eloquently, in theory anyway. I suspect people will simply choose two people that argued with them for their side of an issue but I'm hoping we can overcome in-group bias. And so after five days, we'll see who obtained the most votes. That person will then choose the next topic. I'd prefer the winner choose a topic they hold an at least somewhat informed view to start the debate, but it's not required.

The person that receives the most votes will choose the next topic. The person who received the second highest number will have the option of being the devil's advocate and choosing one other person to help. The traditional role of the DA is to "test the quality of the original argument and identify weaknesses in its structure" but for our purposes, the role of the DA is to stir up disagreement and promote discussion.

After the poll has been closed, the winner has one day, or two if necessary, to choose a topic and PM me it. The runner-up also has one or two days to PM me and decline or to let me know who he chose to be his partner, if he wants one. If the runner-up chooses to be the DA, I will then PM the appropriate person(s) what the next topic will be so the topic can be researched. Since I think it would be a bit unfair otherwise, being included in the poll automatically makes you eligible for being the winner and the DA. And if the runner-up chooses not to be the DA, I will create the the next thread with the new topic and then let people volunteer to be the DA for that topic. If all goes as planned, the starting of the new topic will take place one week afterward the closing of the previous topic. And it's not a rule or anything, but it would be courteous to allow the winner to make the first post with whatever he wants to say.

If there are any suggestions for how the rules can be improved or questions in general about anything related to Controversy, post them in Questions/Suggestions.
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