Debating 101

The Off-Topic section operates as a platform to debate. It's a flawed system, because we're not on podiums waiting to have our say. We're in separate rooms, in separate municipalities, all responding to separate posts. Naturally this is going to make things difficult. It is unreasonable to believe that every thread is going to follow the same stream of consciousness. It's going to get messy, it's going to get off topic, and that's the way of it. The section is called off-topic! It's bound to get off-topic, nay, encouraged to, by its very namesake.

I was reminded today of a college course I took called Critical Thinking. It was a foolish class, but I learned how to describe a hole in an argument:
http://thebestschools.org/magazine/1...allacies-know/

We will not address a post unless it is in direct violation of the forum guidelines, as seen here.
https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...-Rules-Conduct

We appreciate everyone's efforts to keep the Forum organized, but if we're quibbling about what's on-topic and what's off-topic on an off-topic thread so much so that no one's enjoying themselves, well then what are we really doing?

The point is to express ourselves and perhaps find some relief through like-minded humans in a majorly isolating and oftentimes depressing period on our historical timeline. Can we start doing that again, please, and stop biting at each other like dogs fighting over a bone, fighting over the podium.

Happy Thanksgiving, folks.
Meghan

I’d hit a like button if there was one. Well said.

I think you better have a word the MOD (FFF) , he's recently decided not to let the threads go off-topic. Discuss Covid, even in context and you'll find your post banished to the 'Covid' area. :)

I fully agree with what you're saying and posted my thoughts earlier on another thread; "Where as, going off-topic usually causes the thread to go down the Rabbit hole and ends up who knows where but everyone has had a good time getting there...including the OP."

But we have a problem with Trolling. That needs to be addressed, it's against the rules, but is rarely enforced. The closure of a thread this morning was due to one poster posting his nonsense..otherwise, the other contributors were having a well-balanced discussion on Capitalism.

We've discussed the slipperiness of Off-Topic. finsfurfeathers is doing a great job and we're grateful to him. You always harsh on the mods Mike, what's up with that?

Hmmm...... based on what I see in the Supply Chain thread, the usual distractions but if you were getting complaints that warrant closing it then this seems relevant.

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it" - George Orwell

It is "Off topic" you have a choice to allow discussions, debates and even name calling (threats etc are unacceptable of course) or to act like the current threat to free speech/Human rights in Canada

Canadian government's proposed online harms legislation threatens our human rights
No other liberal democracy in the world has been willing to accept these restrictions
https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opin...ghts-1.6198800


If someone wants to distract or change topics you have the choice to ignore them, or show where they are full of it and finish the post on topic or just let the thread go in that new direction, if there is more to add the topic in the title someone will bring it back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MeghanOOD

We've discussed the slipperiness of Off-Topic. finsfurfeathers is doing a great job and we're grateful to him. You always harsh on the mods Mike, what's up with that?

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So am I responded to you as the Admin...or as a member of the forum. ??

Seems like a question that an ADMIN should ask someone in a PM ? :)

I've never said a 'harsh' word about a MOD. There are times, when a MOD (also an active member on the forum, ie. one of us) can be held accountable for what he posts like everyone else. Never used a 'harsh' word there either.

Yes I did question him, in his role as a Mod, with the debacle he instigated trying to clean up a thread started JoePa on Rabies Vaccine (which looks like it has been deleted) . But it was done politely, with a little sarcasm, but not offensive..I even included a Smiley Face emoji ..like this :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikePal

So am I responded to you as the Admin...or as a member of the forum. ??

Seems like a question that an ADMIN should ask someone in a PM ? :)

I've never said a 'harsh' word about a MOD. There are times, when a MOD (also an active member on the forum, ie. one of us) can be held accountable for what he posts like everyone else. Never used a 'harsh' word there either.

Yes I did question him, in his role as a Mod, with the debacle he instigated trying to clean up a thread started JoePa on Rabies Vaccine (which looks like it has been deleted) . But it was done politely, with a little sarcasm, but not offensive..I even included a Smiley Face emoji ..like this :)

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Its still there Mike if you wish to look a little closer https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...u-Get-the-Shot :)
or if you wish to discuss covid try
https://www.oodmag.com/community/sho...Covid-vaccines :)
Everyone's happy now.
And you're right not the place to discuss would be the Mod forum your welcome to join me there

Until OOD come to grips with paid influencers there will be clashes.
One would be naive not to think that they lurk here and on many other forums.

Fortunately, they are easy to pick out of the woods. Hunting instinct you know...lol

https://torontosun.com/opinion/colum...n-social-media

Quote:

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Originally Posted by impact

Until OOD come to grips with paid influencers there will be clashes.
One would be naive not to think that they lurk here and on many other forums.

Fortunately, they are easy to pick out of the woods. Hunting instinct you know...lol

https://torontosun.com/opinion/colum...n-social-media

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That is a very good observation and I believe there might be paid influencers on this forum. They are easy to spot because their whole day seems to revolve around posting on Off Topic and Political Posts, far and beyond a mere party solo voter. Or they have an inordinate number of posts all on controversial topics posted to get a rise out of the members.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

That is a very good observation and I believe there might be paid influencers on this forum. They are easy to spot because their whole day seems to revolve around posting on Off Topic and Political Posts, far and beyond a mere party solo voter. Or they have an inordinate number of posts all on controversial topics posted to get a rise out of the members.

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Me -"Ohhh BTW, welcome back. They allowed you to renew your contract?...lol"

Gilroy - "Of course they renewed my contract we WON THE ELECTION did you really think they would let me go, I've been assigned to this forum exclusively for the next 4 years, I feel bad about taking the cash, but what's a billion here or there. LOL"