Posts/Participation ratio

Sometimes it's just not worth chewing through the leather restraints in order to type in a reply.

ComputerBreath wrote: If I don't feel I have any input, not name-calling or arguing (sometimes I think the argument is just for argument's sake), I won't say anything. If the thread has degenerated into a mud-fest, I stay away from it.

But those are the only threads that have any staying power....an intelligent debate will quickly end or is just between two people who are capable of debating without insults.

CynicalBill wrote:

ComputerBreath wrote: If I don't feel I have any input, not name-calling or arguing (sometimes I think the argument is just for argument's sake), I won't say anything. If the thread has degenerated into a mud-fest, I stay away from it.

But those are the only threads that have any staying power....an intelligent debate will quickly end or is just between two people who are capable of debating without insults.

And that is the truth. There are a few people on here with whom I've had some very interesting exchange of ideas. Something like that lights my fire. I stay out of most political discussions as it is not my cup of tea Then there are those threads when I see who is posting, it automatically means stay away. It's always the same rehash without any original thought.

Rockdoc Franz wrote:

CynicalBill wrote:

ComputerBreath wrote: If I don't feel I have any input, not name-calling or arguing (sometimes I think the argument is just for argument's sake), I won't say anything. If the thread has degenerated into a mud-fest, I stay away from it.

But those are the only threads that have any staying power....an intelligent debate will quickly end or is just between two people who are capable of debating without insults.

And that is the truth. There are a few people on here with whom I've had some very interesting exchange of ideas. Something like that lights my fire. I stay out of most political discussions as it is not my cup of tea Then there are those threads when I see who is posting, it automatically means stay away. It's always the same rehash without any original thought.

So do these posts have staying power because people like controversy? Or do people like playing devil's advocate? Or do some people just go out of their way to "get people's goats"?

Sometimes, I'll read mud-fest posts just to see if maybe I can glean some information I didn't already know...but usually I come away from them shaking my head and blessing God that I never was much of an arguer and am able to see both sides. Of course, I'm also determined (read stubborn) and if I think I've been disrespected in the slightest, will hold a grudge for a long time...then I remember that the grudge is holding me back and not affecting the other person...so I (reluctantly, just 'cuz I'm stubborn) let it go.

Being able to see both sides is much much more fun to me and I get so much more out of it than only holding to one side of an issue.

A short thread with intelligent debate runs its course and those participating are much easier to deal with than a longer thread with disrespectful language, name-calling, and one-sidedness...and I enjoy the short threads much more.

I usually scan the topic headers and only pick one or two to reply to.

towermonkey wrote: I usually scan the topic headers and only pick one or two to reply to.

Same here. I also look at the last user posting to the thread. Certain people raise the entertainment value of a thread, regardless of the topic.

I usually stay out of multi-page threads because they often degenerate. Entropy and rust never sleep.

CynicalBill wrote: This place is a political dumpster.

Bill, for serious politics I've been going to siliconinvestor.com for about the last 15 years. It started as an investment site but has expanded to include just about everything.

SS109 wrote: I usually stay out of multi-page threads because they often degenerate. Entropy and rust never sleep.

Those are the ones I gravitate towards because of the ripe possibility for trolling.

towermonkey wrote: I usually scan the topic headers and only pick one or two to reply to.

Well thanks TM, for picking my post!

Most of my threads are usually duds, I really have no interest in the partisan issues or "my party vs. yer party" BS.

And Nobody- you crack me up! LOL

Cbill - your earlier experimental debate went well I thought. ?