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This weekly thread will focus on debate, discussion, and the lack thereof on social media (including Lemmy).

My apologies for “leading” a bit more than I try to normally in these weekly threads, however this is a topic that pisses me off in particular. Not only as a mod of a discussion-based community, but as someone who loves it when someone challenges me and proves me wrong / disproves my logic so I’d very much like to hear outside opinions on the topic. I can’t even partially understand how people don’t want to have a more cohesive / logically sound opinion.

Some Starters (and don’t feel you have to speak on all or any of them if you don’t care to):

  • Do you feel that discussion is worse now? If so, what caused it? If not, where may others get this feeling from?
  • Is it potentially a platform issue, or does it happen everywhere?
  • Does discussion even matter any longer? Why or why not?
  • Do you feel that more could be done to encourage discussion with outside views or are we better off just “bubble”-ing ourselves and blocking everyone we disagree with?
  • half_built_pyramids@lemmy.worldEnglish
    21·
    1 month ago

    You’re starting from assumptions. Assuming there could be value in internet comments. My thesis is that any comment that isn’t just referencing facts is a shitpost opinion at best. The only time I’ve appreciated comments was poppinkream’s political breakdowns.

    • Ace T'Ken@lemmy.caOPMEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      But there CAN be value in internet discussion. Moreover, I feel there SHOULD be value. I’ve experienced it many times in the past and even somewhat recently in this community. When it happens and you get someone who thinks differently than yourself, and who treats you like a real person instead of “the opposition,” it’s absolutely wonderful.

      • half_built_pyramids@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        Starting from first principals, you seem to use debate and discussion interchangably.

        Are you saying you want to see more debate online, as in actually debate type competitions with citations?

        Or, are you looking for something else? A discussion with some pithy punctuation?

        I didn’t think you want actual debate. Not because of any personal judgement on your character, but because actual debate is about blurting out citations at auctioneer speeds and I don’t think anyone on the internet has the patience or interest to make actual debate popular.

        Edit: for example, https://youtu.be/t5ChDcqZEfs You have to be into rhetoric and other stuff to actually want debate, and there’s a certain type of unavoidable cringe that comes with pointing out fallacies online.

        • Ace T'Ken@lemmy.caOPMEnglish
          2·
          1 month ago

          I do use discussion and debate as linked terms, yes, but they aren’t the same. I’d like to see more of both.

          Debate like how you’re used to seeing “Debate Teams” engage in? To me it’s as useless as most online commentary. They’re bending rules to steamroll or Gish Gallop opposition. It’s not interesting or enlightening and there’s a distinct lack of substance.

          Real debate with (as you mentioned) citations, respect, a point, and actual experts? Love it. At my college there was a debate between two professors who had differing opinions about research in their field and it was awesome.