Debating Section

[NOX]

Hi Ed, Any chance of a question based debating section, where those of us who like a 'polite row' can play together in war and peace without having to encroach on the rest of the site where people seem to be getting increasing touchy if you disagree with their viewpoint with any seriousness. I know 'news' somewhat covers this but it tends to get slangy and off the wall sometimes, whereas I think a proper debating section would probably simply appeal to people who, granted, do want to shout their mouths off but in a more structured way.
Ta muchly ;-)

[ladybirder]

Oh dear, it looks as if your suggestion might be heading for Room 101 NOX. Perhaps the Debating Section should be 'By Invitation Only at the suggestion of the Ed:-) Get touchy and you're out.

[emmie]

are they, and who might you be referring to, anyone on here?

[berniecuddles]

mass debate lol good idea!

[emmie]

LB, so it would seem.

[boxtops]

There are some who bite quicker than others, em :-)

[ummmm]

And some seem to go out of their way to be offended.

[emmie]

perhaps, but it's a site for debate, news, interest and somewhere down the line someone will get offended, be happy, or go off the rails.

[emmie]

you don't say who though?

[ummmm]

I'm hardly going to name names.

[boxtops]

Of course not, em - different people will be offended or challenged by different things and different times.

[NOX]

It is human nature but sometimes I read a response to a reply I've given and think 'oh I'd like to counter that, or the person has not responded to points I've posted' but am put off posting further by the idea that the person is clearly getting defensive or upset and thinks I'm some sort of nutty control freak whose up for a fight. A debating section would alleviate that problem somewhat I feel.

[China Doll]

I seen people in CB jumping to take offence recently very quickly... let alone any other topic. I suspect if you're inclined to be easily offended or quick to rile then it'll happen in any section, and a debate section won't make any difference to them. (If you suggest people are not robust enough to debate properly then they'll jump to be offended at that too as it's either a quirk of their personality or someone is having an off-day/week/month, and will be more sensitive. I don't think you'll ever win).

[boxtops]

I still vote for the Personal Chat topic, please

[emmie]

doubt it Nox, you would still get the same problems, we all have differing opinions, and some of the topics can be quite heated as you know.

[China Doll]

I think I'd rather have a section where you can swap contact details boxy (throw away email addresses I mean). I don't think you'll ever get rid of personal chat on here because some people do know each other away from here, but I do think it's off-putting at times, so where people do want to be put in touch with each other so they can talk personally, then it should be encouraged. :c)

[emmie]

china, seems a good idea

[naomi24]

Boxy, I don’t think a personal chat topic would work either for the same reason – anyone can join in – although I agree with you that posters in some threads do appear to acknowledge ‘members only’.

What I would really like to see here is a ‘for the attention of’ section where we could post an email address or draw another ABer’s attention to a particular thread, but with messages restricted to just the necessary few words – eg ‘Ummmm – see here (link)’. Only the other day I noticed an important question specifically aimed at one of our resident experts who clearly didn’t see it – and that’s a shame.

[emmie]

also some good ideas ^^

[RATTER15]

I think a dedicated "Debating Section" would be seen by some to be a place to blow their lids and do nothing short of just plainly insult and abuse people, it will then end up being like life on the "Dark Side"

[NOX]

We sued to have ( very unreliable) private messaging back in the day and it was good, as far as it went for enabling people to exchange contact info etc. I'd be up for that and likewise Naomi's FAO section is a great idea.