Debating as opposed to arguing or trolling or joking

SwannySez

How annoying do you find it when someone hijacks a reasonably serious debate by simply mocking one of the other people involved?

I ask partly becuase I freely admit that I am very, very often guilty of this - to the point that I was quite certain it would get me tossed out of this group a few times.

I see this as a rather intellectual place and while I am down for a good brainy chat, I have a great deal of trouble in general controlling the juvenile in me.

Do you see degrees of jocularity having a place in such a group as this?

slackerwoman

I don't find it annoying. I am just jealous that I'm not half as witty as some of you guys.

BrettPGH

I always like to throw out a joke to STOP a heated argument. It's important to laugh, step back and get some perspective in these things.

Otherwise you get people attacking each other viciously over whether siren noises on the radio are ok or not..

You gotta laugh people.

auroranflash

Wit has its place in debate, but it all depends on how it is presented and in what context.

odusgolp

i welcome completely off-topic assery at all times.

SwannySez

I totally want to topic off on your *kitten*, odus.

auroranflash

I always like to throw out a joke to STOP a heated argument. It's important to laugh, step back and get some perspective in these things.

Otherwise you get people attacking each other viciously over whether siren noises on the radio are ok or not..

You gotta laugh people.

I think we can all agree that siren noises on the radio are NOT okay. Especially police sirens. They should be forbidden in all music/commercials played on the radio considering most of us listen while in the car. I can name more than a time or two when I nervously looked in the rear-view, only to realize it was just a stupid rap song I had let drone on, half-ignored, while my mind wandered.

Curse you, Little Wayne. Curse you and everything you stand for.

No wonder I leave it on the alternative station 99% of the time.

SwannySez

I think we can all agree that siren noises on the radio are NOT okay. Especially police sirens. They should be forbidden in all music/commercials played on the radio considering most of us listen while in the car.

Clearly, this must be decided not by debate, but naked limbo. Brett, take one end of the pole.

perfectingpatti

How annoying do you find it when someone hijacks a reasonably serious debate by simply mocking one of the other people involved?

When the mocking is made as a personal attack during a serious debate, it annoys me. Most of the time it's done by someone who has no mature, articulate way of arguing his point so he tries to derail the thread by personally insulting someone in the thread.

I'm all for making jokes to lighten the mood of a serious thread, but that's different than mocking the person. So, I agree with Brett. A joke is all good. Mocking a person in the debate is not cool.

BrettPGH

I think we can all agree that siren noises on the radio are NOT okay. Especially police sirens. They should be forbidden in all music/commercials played on the radio considering most of us listen while in the car.

Clearly, this must be decided not by debate, but naked limbo. Brett, take one end of the pole.

Not the pole. NOT THE POLE!

SwannySez

Not the pole. NOT THE POLE!

YES! THE POLE! Get on that pole, boy!

kennethmgreen

It's tough. There are some debates that I simply don't have a strong opinion on, and would rather make a joke. There are also times when I'm not really confident in my own knowledge of the subject and hope that if I can insert a clever joke, you won't think I'm dumb. Then there are times when I just need to make a fart joke.

Personal attacks are always ALWAYS a lame debate tactic. It immediately loses any credibility with me. But being funny and still debating is nice. There are ways to weave in wit and still make a solid point. It can make a subject more enjoyable to debate. I generally don't take stuff personally.

SwannySez

It's tough. There are some debates that I simply don't have a strong opinion on, and would rather make a joke. There are also times when I'm not really confident in my own knowledge of the subject and hope that if I can insert a clever joke, you won't think I'm dumb. Then there are times when I just need to make a fart joke.

Personal attacks are always ALWAYS a lame debate tactic. It immediately loses any credibility with me. But being funny and still debating is nice. There are ways to weave in wit and still make a solid point. It can make a subject more enjoyable to debate. I generally don't take stuff personally.

*kitten* YOU, KENNETH!! F***************************************CK YOU!!!!!!!

k8blujay2

Personally, I love joking and satire... provided it's done in such a way that is not mean or vindictive... that includes personal attacks...

kennethmgreen

It's tough. There are some debates that I simply don't have a strong opinion on, and would rather make a joke. There are also times when I'm not really confident in my own knowledge of the subject and hope that if I can insert a clever joke, you won't think I'm dumb. Then there are times when I just need to make a fart joke.

Personal attacks are always ALWAYS a lame debate tactic. It immediately loses any credibility with me. But being funny and still debating is nice. There are ways to weave in wit and still make a solid point. It can make a subject more enjoyable to debate. I generally don't take stuff personally.

*kitten* YOU, KENNETH!! F***************************************CK YOU!!!!!!!

I love you.

lour441

Personal attacks suck unless they are directed at a liberal. Then it is fine.

kennethmgreen

Personal attacks suck unless they are directed at a liberal. Then it is fine.

I am liberal and think this is awesome.

Laces_0ut

some people just cant see reason

jenbit

Not the pole. NOT THE POLE!

YES! THE POLE! Get on that pole, boy!

Wait I wanna video tape this.

spade117

I would much rather laugh than have a serious debate.

Gilbrod

How annoying do you find it when someone hijacks a reasonably serious debate by simply mocking one of the other people involved?

I ask partly becuase I freely admit that I am very, very often guilty of this - to the point that I was quite certain it would get me tossed out of this group a few times.

I see this as a rather intellectual place and while I am down for a good brainy chat, I have a great deal of trouble in general controlling the juvenile in me.

Do you see degrees of jocularity having a place in such a group as this?

See what I did there

LuckyLeprechaun

you guys.

cubizzle

*pokes head in, sees Auroranflash, backs away slowly, sprints to the car*

KimmyEB

I always like to throw out a joke to STOP a heated argument. It's important to laugh, step back and get some perspective in these things.

Otherwise you get people attacking each other viciously over whether siren noises on the radio are ok or not..

You gotta laugh people.

I have a feeling this may have been directed at me. Do I get a pardon, since to my knowledge, that's the first time I've stooped that low?

marsellient

Not here. I don't see it as a problem in a group. I choose to check these threads. I do see it as a problem on the main board on MFP. There have been a lot of snarky, trolling posts there in the last few days. Posts that make fun of people trying to figure out how to lose weight, exercise, get healthy. I think that's disgusting. Or am I being too serious? ::embarassed:

Koldnomore

How annoying do you find it when someone hijacks a reasonably serious debate by simply mocking one of the other people involved?

When the mocking is made as a personal attack during a serious debate, it annoys me. Most of the time it's done by someone who has no mature, articulate way of arguing his point so he tries to derail the thread by personally insulting someone in the thread.

I'm all for making jokes to lighten the mood of a serious thread, but that's different than mocking the person. So, I agree with Brett. A joke is all good. Mocking a person in the debate is not cool.

THIS^^

TheRoadDog

I don't find it annoying. I am just jealous that I'm not half as witty as some of you guys.

That would make you a half wit.

treetop57

It means your wit is half vast.

VelociMama

If you don't have a sense of humor about yourself, you're missing out on life.

I also think people on here (MFP generally) fail to grasp the concept that sarcasm and humor can be made to make a very valid point about the ridiculousness of an argument.

treetop57

Some people suffer from an irony deficiency.

Gilbrod

Some people suffer from an irony deficiency.

ZING!!!