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Ah, so the problem is hot-button topics, not analogies. That is a bit more complex. It is hard to know where to draw the line between the listener being over-se
by devrandomguy 9y ago
Ah, so the problem is hot-button topics, not analogies. That is a bit more complex. It is hard to know where to draw the line between the listener being over-sensitive, and the speaker being a sophisticated troll. Dang and I actually butted heads over that one a few weeks ago.
I think it is just as important to take things at face value, instead of assuming malice, as it is to be sensitive to other people's issues (for lack of a better term). I've actually had decent results debating obvious trolls, just by postponing emotion, identifying and avoiding assumptions, and focusing on the actual meaning of their statements.
- OtterCoder 9y agoI completely agree with you on tough topics. I think the idea that politics are considered taboo is one of the great American tragedies. I'm honestly a bit addicted to debate. I'm referring to resorting to crassness on an already contentious topic. As an example, I often spend time defending my religious beliefs to atheists. I'm happy to talk all day about how I feel about Dawkins' arguments and the like, but the second someone brings up 'your stupid f———— sky fairy', I can tell that the conversation is not going to be productive any longer.