I think we could bear to have a shared understanding (not "rules" as such) about how to do or not do productive discussion.

The heuristics that make sense to me are

Be respectful of persons in an essential way, which is quite often not the same as being polite to them.[/*:m:2mkvilbo]
Argue clearly and with support, patiently continuing to explain as needed.[/*:m:2mkvilbo]
Openly acknowledge strong arguments made by others.[/*:m:2mkvilbo]
Accept the need to change your views when the evidence is against you.[/*:m:2mkvilbo]
When the issue is a zero-sum one (e.g. do we do A or B), base your choice on generally accepted principle, not mere will or desire. Accept the validity, though not necessarily superiority, of principles chosen by others.[/*:m:2mkvilbo]
Never be chivvied into keeping quiet, unless to continue is obviously useless (as for example when dealing with a troll or fanatic).[/*:m:2mkvilbo]

Comments? Additions? Amendations? Subtractions? Anything?

I think we could bear to have a shared understanding (not "rules" as such) about how to do or not do productive discussion.

The heuristics that make sense to me are

Be respectful of persons in an essential way, which is quite often not the same as being polite to them.[/*:m:277m3i4f]
Argue clearly and with support, patiently continuing to explain as needed.[/*:m:277m3i4f]
Openly acknowledge strong arguments made by others.[/*:m:277m3i4f]
Accept the need to change your views when the evidence is against you.[/*:m:277m3i4f]
When the issue is a zero-sum one (e.g. do we do A or B), base your choice on generally accepted principle, not mere will or desire. Accept the validity, though not necessarily superiority, of principles chosen by others.[/*:m:277m3i4f]
Never be chivvied into keeping quiet, unless to continue is obviously useless (as for example when dealing with a troll or fanatic).[/*:m:277m3i4f]

Comments? Additions? Amendations? Subtractions? Anything?

Words of wisdom. Been guilty of violating about all of those points at one time or the other, though I think I've gotten better.

One trait that I see in myself is a reluctance to be redundant. Don't know if that's really a bad thing or not but if someone makes a point in a discussion that I agree with I'll seldom chip in my 2cents, feeling that done is done and not wanting to "pile on". Guess DU made me like that, all of the "yeah, what she said" posts seemed gratuitous. The down side might be self-censorship.

I never had any use for the rules... :wink:


As for countries--ain't no surprise to me that Greece came up with the concept. Talk about a heart of anarchy. I swear, in Athens they never sleep. Truly a WASP would be in a constant state of alarm. :twisted: