When does one "win" a forum argument?

[Ultra_Caboose]

I've been in my share of internet arguments... I've always thought that the winner is the one who presents the point that is correct, and that most people agree with. I know that's rather useless for the lion's share of internet squabbles, but that's been the "winning" point for most of mine.

 

[iamnotincompliance]

The winner is determined by who gets tired and leaves first. With me I usually like leaving first because I really don't give a fuck about stupid internet arguments.

Or, to quote Rob from the first episode of Unforgotten Realms, "Victory by forfeit!"

Love that line.

I think it is possible to prove another person wrong and therefore 'win' an argument on the internet, but doing so takes too long, and that's why I rarely get involved in such things.

Not to say victory by forfeit isn't as valid. It just doesn't happen often enough.

 

[Canadian Fodder]

Who ever starts to use all caps to prove a point.

 

[nicholaxxx]

if you're the one to end it, hear me out there are a lot of idiots on youtube, correct? if I post my point of view then all of asudden someone has to spam my inbox with how retarded I am etc etc... now most of the time (because I REALLY have nothing better to do) I argue back. This goes on for a few hours/days but I usually say something along the lines of 'this is stupid/getting out of hand, since we ovbiously won't see eye to eye, can't we agree to dissagree?' if I get them to simmer down, then in my eyes, I have won.

 

[stuart90]

But "Can't we agree to disagree?" isn't really winning it. Plus its just annoying haha

 

[Citrus]

When you silence or outsmart someone on the internet, you don't win. You just look a bit less pathetic than the other guy.

Debates can be different, but if they're about religion or politics, it's pretty much the same as above.

 

[Steel Ronin]

Well take this for example http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/18.132604.2977339 I'd like to think I one that one I guess it's a gift I have it's when the guy starts doing stuff like this 1.blablabla,2.i iz realy pacif agresiv. that's when he runs out of ideas and the final blow shouldn't be something like "I win you iz mah *****" and such it should be more like say a mom joke call him a forum stalker (if he quoted you more than one time)tell him he lives in a cage if he uses a lot of swearing but censors it like F*** you say don't worry it's ok to swear on the internet I know your mom won't read it she is to buissy getting fucked by me and point out every mistake in his replies.

 

[PyroZombie]

I go by the logic: "When you have established that your opponent is an idiot you have won"

Same

 

[Flying-Emu]

Who ever starts to use all caps to prove a point.

Your avatar is oddly fitting.

 

[Teh_Doomage]

I go by the logic of: Never get into an argument on the internet...period. Just really a waste of time.

*walks out*

 

[la-le-lu-li-lo]

You win when I have agreed with your opinion.

In seriousness, I consider it a 'win' whenever I learn something new or have taught the other person something. :]

 

[Delicious]

When the other person apologizes and offers you sexual favors on top of a white tiger.

 

[hippo24]

Theres no winning, no one respects what a disembodied Idea has to say, so no one is going to change a core belief based on what it says.

In order to "win" you have to learn something new or encounter a different point of view.
Nothing is going to change beyond what you learned.

Arguing on a forum is like attacking a stocked bookshelf with a firepoker, you throw down and hope something productive happens, or your learn you should bath in a life raft....

umm...

 

[Murlin]

Last man not banned always wins

 

[Nipah_]

I used to win many a disagreement on the WoW forums by slowly twisting my argument until it was such a complete pile of nonsense that the other person had no clue what we were originally talking about.

You'd be amazed how short the average attention span of forum goers is though... I'm sure if you can keep up a long enough response, they'll cave 1/2 way through and you'll have won a minor victory at least.

 

[Doctor Panda]

"The only way to win is to not play"

well, that and godwin's law

 

[Markness]

Well take this for example http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/18.132604.2977339 I'd like to think I one that one I guess it's a gift I have it's when the guy starts doing stuff like this 1.blablabla,2.i iz realy pacif agresiv. that's when he runs out of ideas and the final blow shouldn't be something like "I win you iz mah *****" and such it should be more like say a mom joke call him a forum stalker (if he quoted you more than one time)tell him he lives in a cage if he uses a lot of swearing but censors it like F*** you say don't worry it's ok to swear on the internet I know your mom won't read it she is to buissy getting fucked by me and point out every mistake in his replies.

Dude, you did not win that one, you just started calling him names and used unbased racism.

As for the op, I'd like the think the purpose is in the journey rather than the result.

"The only way to win is to not play"

Just for curiosity, where did this come from?

 

[peterwolfe]

One "wins" a forum argument when your opponent pulls the "let's agree to disagree" card.

 

[Blanks]

In the end both winners and losers are idiots