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Ianonabike
Regular
Mostly I see a lot of people just trying to score points, rather than have a decent conversation.
Free speech
- Thread starter Ianonabike
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Rusty Nails
Country Member
This isn't a confessional, but we won't judge if you need to get it off your chest.
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Ianonabike
Regular
As I was just saying...
Rusty Nails
Country Member
What is a decent conversation? I have plenty of those at work or down the pub.
This sort of forum is more like adversarial debate than a conversation.
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Ianonabike
Regular
I guess it is whatever you (we) make it. I prefer not to treat people like adversaries if at all possible. Each to his own.
Pblakeney
Über Member
I guess that just proves that everyone is different.
I treat this place as if it is banter down at the pub, i.e. not seriously. There are a few worth avoiding though, just like at the pub.
That is fair although I do try and stand up for people I actively dislike if there's a principle to uphold. As an example I have a lot of admiration for Peter Tatchell even though I vehemently disagree with him on almost everything. He was prepared to get beaten up by Mugabe's thugs for instance in order to make his point and I think he is a brave man even if I think he's desperately misguided. We all obviously self select which discussions we want to join in with here but on BR when I was banging on about the assault on liberty and freedom during Covid I was treated like a fringe nutter by some of the same people who are making the most noise about things that are currently happening in America over which they have no influence or agency.
Rusty Nails
Country Member
I am sure that you really believe that.
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Ianonabike
Regular
Same here, but you're a better man than I to stand up for Tatchell in any way shape or form!
Well yeah, he doesn't make it easy, especially his views on the age of consent. However surely that's the point? I find his views on that abhorrent but he's prepared to make his case and argue respectfully with his opponents about it. Provided he's not indulging his passions whilst they remain illegal then I think he should be allowed a voice.
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Ianonabike
Regular
Oh he definitely should be allowed a voice. I just don't feel like I personally have to stand up for him. This isn't meant as a criticism of you for doing so.
All uphill
Senior Member
Like I don't feel any need to stand up for Farage, Linehan, et al.
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Ianonabike
Regular
I believe that Ian Dunt (as seen on another thread) was onto something when he wrote:
We all choose our causes.
Pblakeney
Über Member
"If I argued, it would achieve nothing. No-one has ever been convinced by an argument online. No-one has ever emerged with a better reputation for having argued online, even if they won. The whole thing is an utter waste of time.."
That's not true. I've been corrected quite a few times and acknowledge the fact.
We are all capable of learning, if we choose to do so.
That's not true. I've been corrected quite a few times and acknowledge the fact.
We are all capable of learning, if we choose to do so.
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Ianonabike
Regular
I will agree he was being a little too pessimistic there. But he was spot on about cruelty.
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