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Current Events » in reply to You're taking this BBS all too seriously ;-)

Possibly, but I feel I have reason to react the way I do
Davin L. — (archived)

Tech1:
A major problem with serious discourse in this country is the lazy way in which it has come to be conducted... Facts are disputed with personal remarks or diatribes or the sort of tactics that used to (and should still) get people laughed out of the room (Straw men, red herrings etc). I have seen that behavior on this board on more than one occasion. Tony and others on the 'Left' side have pointed it out themselves - and they have been here a lot longer than I. While I do respect the education, intelligence and reason of this community, I see that side of it as something that, perhaps, I can contribute to.

Having been, at times in my life, once a Philosopher and later a Formal Logician, I have the sort of focus on discourse methedology and correct use of logic that, say, Rob L has for Scientific Methodology and correct use of mathematics. Think how people (you included) shred the 'Planet X' sort of posts around here. Thats what my motives are when I see reasoned argument being misdirected by personal attacks, or argumentative fallacy. Additionally, my training has left me more than a little brutal and aggressive in my discounting of arguments that I intend to show as false, and not at all even humorously receptive to trash discourse.

While I have found substantial traction here for sound and effective discourse and positive input on my own political views, I am profoundly miffed sometimes by what I see go on... Even more so because of the quality of minds around here. I intend to stay and I intend to get used to it. But, Tech1- I will always call you or anyone else out when you abuse logic or misdirect an argument with some bogus technique. Its just the person that I am. If this is not proper 'round here, let me know and I will restict my posts to the Space board- which is why I came here in the first place, and is 9/10ths of why I stay.

Lastly, I do say that Tom B is superb with backing his opinion with facts and even tweaking his beliefs when presented with contradicting facts. In fact many people here tend to be far more open than the average Joe. Larry and Matt have both been quite interesting to argue with.

Tech1:
In general, I appreciate this community and I will take note of what you said in your post. Meanwhile, think of my adversarial tone as originating in part from frustration, in part from many years fighting in the cock-pit of academic philosophy/Logic (and even a little Sognitive Science) and in part from just raw okie piss and vinegar. It really is not personal, and if I met you at a convention we'd probably end up over at the bar.

Davin

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