Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

[ODogg]

I just wonder what most of expect to happen when we argue/debate others here on OS? I frequently am involved in discussions on here and I was just thinking the other day, in the midst of a very heavy debate, what am I trying to accomplish with all of this? Do you guys think that anything that is said on here really convinces others to your point of view? I think possibly yes but I'm interested to hear other viewpoints. Sometimes I wonder if anyone really ever convinces anyone though.

Do you think that if you dislike a game you will talk others out of it or vice versa, if you love a game you will talk someone else into it? I'm just wondering how often you guys think that happens here? 10% of the time? 20% of the time?

Bottom line - what really drives you to engage in these debates/disputes here at OS? Is it to affirm your position mostly or to try to convince others or what?

Oh and btw - not being sarcastic here or anything, it's just that I got to thinking about this topic and wondered what you guys thought about it.

I'm genuinely interested to hear from folks as to why they think we all spend our time and effort on here in heated disputes/debates? Do you guys think that you're able to influence others opinions?

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

I think it's a combination of alot of what you just mentioned. People argue to try to get us to see things their way. You've got the "always has to be right" people that will just argue you down until you finally give in. Of course you have the debate where it turns into who's has the most intellect (seems to always happen on message boards). A lot of it is being passionate about certain games though. If someone doesn't like Metal Gear Solid, I'd be offended lol. Of course, I know we all have different tastes, but I'd try to make them "see the light" because I love the series so much.

I'll have more to say on this, but I'm about to leave work, so I'll chime in later. This should be good though

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

healthy debate is good? right.

that's what message boards are for. people of differing opinions conversating...would get boring real quick if everybody agreed on everything.

the name calling is what's pointless, IMO. name calling from behind a computer screen= lame.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

They used to be useful back in the day of the Asshat awards.

Overall, I think most of the members here are level-headed and seeing their views on the same subject is interesting when they're willing to come at things with an open mind.

[ODogg]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

I think one reason I like to participate is I think it's healthy to question yourself on issues. Such as, if you always buy and play game X but then read a thread about it's flaws and realize you really just don't enjoy it, maybe it will make you question why you buy it anymore? Or maybe it will solidify your opinion. I think in these debates we are often arguing to either question or convince ourselves as much as anything.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

Yeah, there quite a few users here that are annoying. Every post they make is intended to bait others. They think they know everything about any given subject matter. Sadly, most that are like have been here for many years. It's fine to have an opinion, but many are just looking to fight, they should be kicked off for that type of ****. Irrespective of their post count.

Lately, I have spent a lot of time in non-sports gaming subforum, guys there are pretty cool and show respect for one another.

[mjb2124]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

I asked myself that one day a while ago - "Why bother debating with people you don't know on OS?". Once I came to the realization that there wasn't much point to it for me (ie: I gain nothing from it), I slowed way down on my posting and just decided to browse most of the time. If I see people debating/arguing, I typically scroll right past it as it's not worth the time/effort 99.9% of the time. The ignore feature is also great because the posters who are a pain or always arguing can simply vanish with a few clicks of a button.

JMO though...

[SPTO]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

Well I left the sports gaming forums a long time ago. Even then, I steered clear of any big arguments. That's not to say I don't get into a little debate with people in other areas of this community. I think it's good to get an idea of where someone is coming from and if you disagree then make your point and so on. Most of the time if I find that the debate is raging around in circles i'll bow out or just say that we agree to disagree.

I know sometimes arguments can seem personal but more often then not I keep the personal stuff out and if it does seem that way then it's not intentional. I just think we all should be respectful of each others opinions even if we disagree 100%.

[Hova57]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

I know for myself i tend to get into arguments in sports gaming forums lately. usually for a remark i intially made which isn't for any particular response. then someone usually pushes my button that i have to respond. I tend to try to have conversations with individuals i know on here won't get into verbal spats.

from a sports perspective its my drive. i love in and outs of sports and at that point when i'm in pro threads its really out of interest and going back and forth with stats and perspectives.

then in the neighborhood i consider adult talk. where you could have real life conversations and everyone here is real about how they feel and there perspective is true and not with a purpose to show off how tough they are.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

Most of the debates/arguing I've been involved in have all come from the college football thread. Why? Because I'm very passionate about college football and so are a lot of people on this forum. Sometimes it can get a little out of line but I love debating about college football.

But a forum is for people to posts their thoughts and opinions and not everyone will be on the same page. OS is great because most of the people on here are respectful and give mature debates/arguments. You have the few that go overboard and get into the name calling but I enjoy having mature debates on here. It would suck if everyone agreed with everyone else lol.

I think once insults begin then it becomes overboard but there is nothing wrong with a mature debate.

[jfsolo]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

Its not really unexpected, but the primary areas of focus for the website (sports gaming, and real life sports) are where the most absurd exchanges occur.

In the ancillary areas, such as Non-Sports gaming and Entertainment, you can have discussions/disagreements without it devolving into a juvenile back and forth.

There are so many guys here who I can have an excellent exchange with in the Non-Sports gaming area, but I still keep them on "Ignore" because their rants on Madden, NCAA, and NBA Basketball are so childish and repetitive that I can't stand to even see it.

I've learned to just not engage with people who can't step back from their emotions.

Internet + extreme passion about a topic=

[23]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

The way it started, people on here just had discussions. Yep games had flaws and so on, but all we did was talk about it and talk about what would be better

Most of those old school posters are no longer here with the influx of kids and new guys. Some are still around but they don't post much if at all, just as a couple of those guys mentioned above.

There was a time when a poster was a jerk, he'd get pranked by the admin or a staff mod and everyone would get a kick out of it.

We had tons of classic threads on OS back when.... no so much anymore.

Its just not even the close to the same as far as discussions. Some guys who debate certain things don't know the history behind when certain things started like the Kobe debates... there were a bunch of guys who started that crap that got banned from the site like MostWanted (which wasnt as necessary to be frequent as it is now)..

It was much more of a discussion forum overall back then, now you have it all, complainers, kids, those who wanna call out mods, those who want to call out everyone ,devs, mods, posters..

As far as mature stuff... lol They would at least consider things in the past like a babes forum or political debate forum, but it doesnt stand a chance to last 5 minutes now.

[Pokes]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

I think the reason for that has to do with the demographics of OS. I'm going to guess that the crowd here is on average a younger group. I post on some other sports forums that have separate forums for political/religious and other topics of debate and it stays pretty tame there, but then again most of the posters are in the 25+ demographic.

[SPTO]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

Great post there 23!

The community really changed (probably for the worse in some ways) when the site started to become known and we started getting developers and such to drop in and hype their games. Now the community is so large and with people of different ages, maturity levels and respect to authority that we can't have the kind of pranking or general ribbing of each other like there was back in the day.

There really was a collegial atmosphere here that I miss sometimes. Sure there would be disagreements but it wouldn't devolve into WWIII and more often then not once the arguments became circular someone would pipe in with a completely off the wall and funny post.

I'm just glad I was here when OS was more like Cheers whereas today it's more like a sports bar overflowing with too much liquor.

[23]

Re: Arguing/debating here on OS.. Why do we do it?

Great post there 23!

The community really changed (probably for the worse in some ways) when the site started to become known and we started getting developers and such to drop in and hype their games. Now the community is so large and with people of different ages, maturity levels and respect to authority that we can't have the kind of pranking or general ribbing of each other like there was back in the day.

There really was a collegial atmosphere here that I miss sometimes. Sure there would be disagreements but it wouldn't devolve into WWIII and more often then not once the arguments became circular someone would pipe in with a completely off the wall and funny post.

I'm just glad I was here when OS was more like Cheers whereas today it's more like a sports bar overflowing with too much liquor.

The Collegiate type atmosphere is right

It was so much more fun, a place for the guys to hang out and have a cool time chatting.

Remember Pol? lol

Alot of what some guys think is some kind of frat at OS is simply older posters familiar enough with eachother to talk like they do...ala Acid's sister jokes or whatever.

Remember the Melo tried to get my girl thread P2K started... How he and Pdiddy would gang up on unsuspecting posters with jokes for days?

JoshDacane
SportsorDeath and a bunch of other guys that were real cool. Bdunn, LetsGoPitt... all of these and a bunch more just gone or not posting anymore