[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Manasecret, we (at least I do, I can't speak for them) do get "it".
Assuming a little too much?

No, I don't think I'm assuming too much. I'm only saying what I see. What I think I see may be wrong, but I still don't think it is despite your words. Just like if I say, "I understand the theory of relativity" since I read a book about it, when in fact I probably still don't.

I'll speak personally, because I can't for them.

I want nothing from him. Considering me and him were having a civilized conversation. To be lumped into this escalation between Dylan and Strangler makes it seem like you didn't even read the thread and just felt now would be a good time to jump in and see what comes of it.

A quick look back shows I'm not the one that changed the direction of the thread, and also that you joined in the new direction well before I did. As for jumping in and seeing what comes of it -- well, duh. This is a forum after all. And if you think I "didn't even read the thread", you might be "assuming a little too much." I was the first to reply to the thread, not the first or second or third to take it in this new direction.

You may not understand why all of us argue on the boards. It's because we're all strongly opinionated. Just because we go post our opinions in different ways, doesn't mean we believe any "less strongly" than who we happen to be talking to.

I never said that and I never meant that you feel less strongly. I'm sorry if it came off that way. In fact I would guess you do feel very strongly about your opinions if you post them here, as most people probably do.

The thing about logic and reason, is that they're clearly subjective. The classic fallback to explain that is God vs Science. Each side won't really ever understand the other side's without being patronizing. As for facts, we're most of the time jabbering back and forth about personal opinions on politics. Like why someone believes what they do, why someone acts some way they do. And there's no "fact" for that.

In the case of this thread, yes. It's really just opinions. In fact, I disagree with Prof. S about Jon Stewart and Colbert. I think it's just comedy and they shouldn't be taken seriously. Some people do get their news from them, but I think that's a sign of the sad state of the real news channels and not Stewart and Co. that some people feel the need to turn to Comedy Central to get a real look at the news.

In other cases, facts are very useful. The sky is blue is a fact. Fred Thompson said "blah blah blah" or whatever quote is a fact. On June 11, 2007, Sen. Larry Craig was arrested at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on suspicion of lewd conduct is a fact. Using these facts and other facts to arrive at a logical conclusion to support your argument is a very very strong form of persuasion. I prefer this form of argument, because as far as I know it's the strongest form. Prof. S is very good at this, you are very poor. So am I, but when I'm not willing to take the time to make a logical argument, I usually just stop talking instead of repeating my opinion over and over without any useful form of argument.

What bugs me so much about the posters in this forum, is that while they (not directed at anyone in particular) take everything with a grain of salt, they think whoever their arguing with is taking the words to heart.

I may argue back with Strangler a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm letting the words get to me. It just means I'm debating back. Just as he is.

I recall someone calling Prof. S "just a shit stirrer" at one time and vowed never to argue with him again. Do those sound like the words of someone not letting the words get to them?

How about Dylflon coming in in the middle of a discussion and writing a long monologue about his harbored feelings about Prof. S for the last several years, and then telling him in the end to "eat a dick". Does that sound like someone not letting the words get to them?

That's what bugs me about you. You sure sound like you're taking words to heart, but because all we see is text, we can't gauge your emotions and so you can always fall back on the "I'm just joking" or "I'm just being sarcastic" to many times weasel out of anything you just said.