Speakers Corner Fight Club

[Looper]

The first rule of Speakers Corner Fight Club is:

1. You MUST answer your interlocutor's questions in relation to the issue under debate*

This is TeakDOOR so there are no other rules.

If you break rule number 1 by failing to answer your interlocutor's question then you have forfeited the fight, you have tossed in the towel,you have fluttered the white flag and fled the field of combat.

*Answering a tangentially related but different question does not count.

This is a Speakers Corner meta-thread, i.e. it is a thread not to debate any particular issue, but rather to debate the art of debating itself within the hallowed halls of SC so if you have any suggestions for any additional rules please post them below.

[Looper]

I think the first rule of Speakers Corner Fight Club needs a couple of minor clarifying amendments, listed here

1.a Answering a tangentially related but different question does not count as answering the question

1.b You cannot simply post a link to a youtube or an article or a blog post as your rationale. You have to put your argument in your own words in addition to any links you want to use.

1.c You cannot just copy and paste some 3rd party text from a link. You have to put your argument in your own words.

This is a democratic system so any rule or sub-paragraph is up for debate and review.

[Looper]

No-one gives a fuck about your stupid rules.

STFU.

It is fair enough to throw insults and go off on rants for a bit of theatre and fun, and this is TeakDOOR so its all good; but, for serious debate I think willingness to answer your interlocutor's questions has to be the bottom line when it comes to serious participation.

I think anyone who cannot give a straight answer to a question in a serious moral or political discussion has abdicated the argument, given up the ghost, quit the quarrel and forfeited the feud.

[cyrille]

Don't beat yourself up about it.

[harrybarracuda]

Don't beat yourself up about it.

I suspect it's more "beating himself off about it".

[harrybarracuda]

I think

Then you're not very good at it.