The Truth About Trolls

[Svashtar]

I hate it when two friends are arguing, and I can see that they both have valid points, and they are both partly wrong. Even worse is when they're arguing, but both believe the same thing, just phrasing it differently. Not talking about anything that has gone on here, just speaking in generalities. I just want everybody to be happy, and it ain't usually gonna happen.

Steve

Steve, well said! I have seen two people arguing a point until it's almost "You're right and I'm wrong!" "What! How dare you say that! I'm wrong and you're right!"

Language is such a funny thing that I have seen people who are actually in almost full agreement still arguing because they THINK that the other person is disagreeing with them and they are not listening at all carefully.

Regards,

Norm

 

[hollowdweller]

I think that when you stick to the issues you are ok. The problem is when you start using a lot of adjectives. "radical environmentalist" "right wing republican" For instance here, the coal companies call anyone wanting regulation of them radical environmentalist. This conjures up images of "Earth First" people rather than some mountaineer who doesn't want his well ruined and boulders blasted into his yard. "Concerned citizen" just doesn't neutralize the opposition as much.

I know someone who is basically running off anyone who doesn't agree with him on one forum by dissing and name calling them. I think that if you stick to the issues, the discussion is interesting. But if you call names and make broad sweeping generalizations than you are demagoguing to an extent. For me I want to have people with different opinions than I do. But in almost all forums my opinions are a minority. Yet I have often seen the majority just flame the minority to the point they left. Not me, but others. Then it's just the same people patting themselves on the back for all having the same opinions. That is boring to me. I want to hear other opinions.