
(02-22-2015, 04:44 PM)Seriphyn Wrote:1) Should participants in the lore debate shift to a private conversation?OR2) Should observers who are uncomfortable tolerate the lore debate?
For me, the key word here in the second option is "uncomfortable."
I am a great believer in discourse, discussion, and that many people outside of the initial debate become more informed when there is a debate on an issue. By Seriphyn and I debating lore (using this example) I believe that a 3rd party may come to learn something from both my point of view and/or Seriphyn's and then come to form their own opinion on the matter by measuring each others' points, just as we, the debaters may come to an agreement where before we differed.
That said, the moment our discussion becomes uncomfortable to the 3rd party viewers, it's time to move that discussion elsewhere because we have stopped being a beneficial influence. One of us has done something to offend the other, and that is not the goal of debate. You earn yourself (or your position on your topic) no favors by being inconsiderate of those around you. Just as you permit your debate opponent the courtesy of his opinion when you debate, you should also be courteous of the opinions of those your argument affects.
In real life, I am a Paramedic. As a medic I have many stories, most of which, would be inconsiderate to tell in a public place where I might easily be overheard. Not everyone is desensitized to horrific stories of vomit, roaches, intubation, drug overdoses, or fatal MVCs. If I'm at a bar with my friends and I get into one of my stories, and the owner comes around and asks that I take the rest of my story outside because I'm making their other patrons uncomfortable... it is sure as hell not my place to tell them to grow a thicker skin and get over it. It is my place to either stop the discussion or leave, because I have done a disservice to my fellow patron. My story, while fun and educational to those involved, was not well received by everyone else. So too must debates follow similar courtesy when in a public setting where others (who have not agreed to this debate) are forced to play bystander. Move to /tells or form a party and continue your debate. Hell, make a LS called "Lore Debates" so that way everyone inside that linkshell has consented to a debate environment.