Nitpicking: Forum Debate Etiquette

[Fappy]

Are there any behaviors that really piss you off or catch you flatfooted when you encounter them in a forum-based debate? Obviously most of us would agree that shallow points coupled by poor grammar/spelling is always annoying, but I want to address problems that stem from conscious decisions in the way people post.

While it can be useful at times I find that I really, really hate when people quote me and pick my post apart piece by piece by splitting up the quote. I understand some may like having the ability to clearly argue different points separate from the larger argument but in many cases one of the following will happen:

1. Some of the counterpoints are brief quips that are either purely dismissive or borderline trolling in nature
2. It can break the argument up too much so that certain points are missed entirely and you are no longer arguing about the same thing
3. When done in excess it can be quite jarring on the senses and can make counter arguments more difficult to construct due to the format butchering of your argument

So yeah, anyone else have any forum posting pet-peeves like this?

If someone takes this OP apart I will be very cross

 

[Commonly Confused]

For some reason, it bothers me when a serious debate is going on and someone just posts a picture with some words on it in response.

I think for me it is irritating because it seems to convey disinterest or a lack of commitment to the discussion. I am not saying that it is the case all of the time or even half of the time. That is just how I feel.

._.

 

[Limecake]

Snip

The only thing that really irritates me is when I post something that I believe is really well thought out and they choose to ignore it completely (usually by breaking up my post) or if someone quotes improperly:

For example if I were to say 'sure X is bad for you, but it really helps people with certain medical conditions' it would aggravate me to be quoted as saying 'sure x is bad for you'

That's mostly the only thing that bugs me, when I'm being misrepresented through quotes.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

If someone takes this OP apart I will be very cross

I'm not even going to tell you what my plan was before I got to this line.

I hate it when people ask themselves a question, answer it definitively, and then believe they've closed the argument.

I also hate it when people start new posts on Topic X to talk about how bored they are of Topic X, or hang around Topic X threads extolling everyone to talk about something else.

Finally, I have a particular loathing for "fanboy" as an insult. For some reason if I call someone an idiot, I'm instantly moderated, but I can call someone "fanboy" all day without repercussion, despite them both being 100% aggressive and undermining.

 

[Heronblade]

One thing that really bothers me is someone ignoring any qualifiers I attached to a statement and treating it as if I was unaware or unwilling to admit that there are exceptions to the topic.

 

[RatRace123]

I gotta agree with you, Fappy. That's probably my biggest irritant when coming across forum debates. It's such a stupid tactic too, you can make anything seem bad by taking it out of context.

It's like you need to destroy another person's argument so that yours will have more merit, and if you need to do that, why even bother?

Another thing that irks me is when people simply refuse to compromise. Yes, I know differing opinions are the foundation of a good debate, but people will often refuse to even try to see how someone will have another point of view and dismiss their opinion as outright wrong because it differs.

I'm not asking for us all to get along and hold hands while performing choreographed musical numbers, but at least approach arguments with some civility, a level head and an open mind, sometimes anyway.

 

[Total LOLige]

You know what really grinds my gears? When I post one sentence and I get quoted with a four paragraph argument on how my opinion is complete bullshit.

 

[daveman247]

a few things, a few.

-How people are very literal, you have to put "IMO" at the end of everything otherwise they jump on you for saying "X is everything ever, of all time".

- People who demand sources before they even consider your argument. I'm sorry, but i just don't find research fun. I get enough of that being a student

 

[daveman247]

You know what really grinds my gears?

I read this, then saw your avatar. Made me laugh X)

Yes i'm simple.

 

[tippy2k2]

When people change your text in your quote and say "There, fixed it for you".

Seriously...I fucking hate that and I have no clue why it bothers me so much.

 

[Total LOLige]

You know what really grinds my gears?

I read this, then saw your avatar. Made me laugh X)

Yes i'm simple.

That was unintentional, a happy accident HAZAH!

 

[OneCatch]

So yeah, anyone else have any forum posting pet-peeves like this?

The breaking up a post thing I don't mind if it's done sensibly, but if it's a long debate I tend to put them all back together every few posts so as to try not to lose track.

The thing I *really* don't like is when someone only quotes part of your argument in order to change the implication or meaning of it (Snipping down to the relevant bit I have no problem with), and then responds to that changed argument rather than the one you made.
Anything else is pretty much fair game as far as I'm concerned!

P.S. What about adding "Bad habits that you know you have" to the OP?


I can go wild then. I've already started my list:

1, Making annoying suggestions to change the OP
2, ....

 

[Suicidejim]

Excessive requests for sources, for one. Yes, if somebody posts a random statistic or bluntly says "x happens more often than y" you'll probably want a source, but unless you're dealing with cold, hard facts, it's hardly necessary, not to mention the fact that there are so many poorly constructed or biased statistics and studies out there that you can probably find at least four sources to support the fact that 1+1=27.

Also, a lack of courtesy and open-mindedness. You don't like the fact that people are frequently pig-headed and stubborn, refusing to acknowledge legitimate points you present, blindly clinging to their side just as much out of pride as out of reason? You wish they'd just shut up and acknowledge that they just might be wrong? Then you need to do the same. Even if you aren't willing to compromise your position, at least try to understand the motivations behind the opposing arguments instead of just labelling them as 'stupid' or 'wrong.'

Finally, I wish people would understand how you get people to change positions on an issue. This is related to the previous point, but I feel it is something that needs to be stressed. You acknowledge their points, explain your own and your reasoning behind them, and point out (politely) the flaws in their own reasoning. You need to be willing to compromise and accept small victories, even if it means ceding some of your own ground. You have to recognize that people will only accept ideas if they feel they have come to accept them of their own free will.

You do not scream and rant and bash them over the head with your counterpoints and arguments until they throw themselves before you, admit they are wrong, and beg for your benevolent forgiveness, because people do not work like that.

 

[dyre]

2. It can break the argument up too much so that certain points are missed entirely and you are no longer arguing about the same thing

This one is the worst, though mostly I assume if they fail to respond to a point, the point goes to me (as it is in lincoln-douglass debate). I'll usually rub that in later; serves them right for ignoring the argument.

If someone takes this OP apart I will be very cross

Sorry

 

[krazykidd]

When people change your text in your quote and say "There, fixed it for you".

Seriously...I fucking lovethat and I have no clue why it pleasesme so much.

There , fixed that for you .

Do you wanna be my friend?

OT : yeah i agree with OP , i hate when people do that . Another thing i hate is when you make a generalization and some says , well i'm not like that so it's not true . No shit sherlock , do you know what "in general" means? I mean really , people thing they are so damn special and everyone is like them .

 

[tippy2k2]

When people change your text in your quote and say "There, fixed it for you".

Seriously...I fucking love [sic] that and I have no clue why it pleases [sic] me so much.

There , fixed that for you .

Do you wanna be my friend?

OT : yeah i agree with OP , i hate when people do that . Another thing i hate is when you make a generalization and some says , well i'm not like that so it's not true . No shit sherlock , do you know what "in general" means? I mean really , people thing they are so damn special and everyone is like them .

Damn it, I knew I was setting myself up for that but I had to post it anyway...

This one person gets to do the joke! He gets a pass for being the first person to do it but the second person will get my wrath...(which is basically just me pouting in the corner and I hope that it makes you feel bad).