I think it's safe to say that while the world is dealing with a global pandemic and widespread unrest there is a fair bit of anxiety regarding what the future will bring for all of us, whether we feel it or not. I suspect not everyone's mental health is in tip top shape right now, and some are likely struggling more than we may realize. Perhaps it is the moment to regress back to kindergarten where we were taught that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all, and try to recognize that there is a difference between defending a point or stance on something and blatantly calling someone stupid or saying that that their thought is dumb. If your only response to a post is 'that is stupid and makes no sense' perhaps no response at all would be the more human approach. Every one of us seeks validation, and every one of us deserves respectful communication. If you just NEED to be an ass about something, feel free to be an ass to me. I'm fluent in snide, smart ass and irony, but that love language isn't for everyone.
3
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
3 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Once you enroll in any "debate" class..(or try to teach it) you quickly learn....name -calling is the lowest form of debate. It signals not only that you're wrong, that you've lost the debate, but that you're "hitting below the belt". It's unethical, it's rude. it's not right...yet so many do it these days - especially on FB.
I share this diagram whenever i get in to a discussion of debate ethics...notice the lowest tier. To score well in any debate, strive for the upper parts of the triangle.
Please; consider copying it and sharing it. We have to improve our debating skills.
Robecology
Level 9
June 8, 2020
1
Captain of my high school debate team, here!
I am familiar with the ethics involved and yes, find it equally frustrating that more people don't choose to engage on the upper levels of dialogue. This is the type of thing I feel ALL people should be taught, yet, as you said, it too often only really comes into play in a formal setting.
It sounds like "How to create psychosis in dummies" or the godbotherer's "see the world through rose coloured glasses" and praise the bomb/bullet/poison that kills you enabling your entry into heaven! 
Mental illness arising from the pandemic is not helped by pretending that it is not happening.
Failing to call out ugly selfish uncooperative or rude members helps neither the offended nor the offender. Too many are spineless and fail to state their lack of agreeance with such behaviour.
FrayedBear
Level 9
June 8, 2020
0
I'm not sure if I may be misunderstanding you, or if you're misunderstanding me, or if we're even possibly in agreement, so I am just going to go with thank you for the input. 
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.