[debate] Proposed topic: "Is it possible to create online public forums for constructive debate?"

[Alan Light]

> Posited: There are mechanisms as yet to be fully formed
> that will in the foreseeable future enable the bulk of public debate
> to be carried out effectively in online forums.

> A group of us have been pursuing the answer to the implicit question -
> "Is it possible to create online public forums for constructive debate?"
> - for the past eight months or so on the Motley Moose (http://motleymoose.com)
> with some success.

Next: will carriages some day go horseless?

Seriously, I hear a lot about the poor quality of debate on the internet, but I have never had too much difficulty finding good discussions.  Sure, there are likely to be a few trolls even at the best places, but a little half-decent moderation and a killfile or the equivalent can take care of that.

That said, of course the majority of news sites, and the majority of sites that try to appeal to the "average Joe" are going to be full of imbeciles and idiots - because the general population is composed of imbeciles and idiots.  Those that were not born so have been "educated" that way.

The secret to finding a good place for discussions online is as simple as avoiding the crowds and seeking out the niches where the idiots don't want to go.  Like playing classical music in a store to drive away unwanted loiterers, high quality discussions tend to drive away the aggressively ignorant, and keep the passively ignorant in a quiet, learning mode.

BTW, I've been online for almost 21 years now, and recall the glory days of USENET before the September that never ended, with the (commonly, but not always) collegiate level discussions.

Perhaps the better question is:  Given that most people now form many of their opinions via online discussions, usually with like-minded people, how can we avoid groupthink and ghettoization of ideas, how can we cross-pollinate, and how can intelligent people reach out and engage the masses in a practical and timely manner?

And when will October come?



Alan Light
Ross Island
Antarctica
September 5710, 1993


      
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