@blatham,
this
blatham wrote: I have no problem with disagreements. They're inevitable even among folks of comparable political leanings. What destroys political commentary (true on every board I've ever been on and that's a lot of them) is tone and intention. Where insult is the mode driven by the intention to make another feel smaller or to shut up then I'm not a fan.
One of the things I used to really love about Abuzz and A2K was the opportunity to discuss things with people who have different viewpoints and opinions. I learned a lot. I changed my opinion about things based on information that was well-presented and well argued.
When there is nothing left but insults - or posts that seem to just be carrying devices for insults - there is nothing interesting left for me.
I was still reading a lot of political threads but each day there seem to be fewer posts without direct or implied insults. There's nothing challenging about that IMNSHO.
Anyone can be insulting. I can be wonderfully insulting to others. I can be nasty. There's no big trick or gift in that.
Not everyone can be intellectually challenging. Not everyone can frame a good argument. That ability is a gift.
We've lost so many of our interesting, stimulating, encouraging and challenging (across the spectrum) posters over the past few years.
Are new posters with positive approaches to presenting and discussing information/ideas/opinions coming in and being encouraged to post? One of the reasons I do still come in to read - hoping to find a newbie to encourage. Are they here? are they reading and deciding against posting?
I'm not a Susy Sunshine that thinks there were never insults/stupid fights at A2k in the past but the balance has shifted and I miss the high of reading a great clear argument from someone with a different opinion that doesn't have an insult tucked in somewhere.
