tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716342550760162208.post4094321821133492443..comments2023-12-19T02:55:49.657-08:00Comments on Mary Versus the Trumpeting Legions of Apathy: Mary Quite Contrarymlhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897457666469917298noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716342550760162208.post-75853606361034372292011-10-02T08:56:54.043-07:002011-10-02T08:56:54.043-07:00You know, I just barely read a commentary on Arist...You know, I just barely read a commentary on Aristotle that suggested that rational debate is a human need, how we express ourselves more humanly, etc. Our current climate either fears dissent or whips it into a fervor.mlhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06897457666469917298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716342550760162208.post-21651876057166800882011-09-30T12:24:32.436-07:002011-09-30T12:24:32.436-07:00Interesting. I've been thinking a lot about d...Interesting. I've been thinking a lot about discussion/argument styles, but have no conclusions about how to make sure people are comfortable. . . asking them doesn't always work. I also wonder, what (if anything) do we owe each other, in conversation?Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792544618389217135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716342550760162208.post-78177345589964949342011-09-25T20:16:55.883-07:002011-09-25T20:16:55.883-07:00Mary, your post made me laugh. And miss you all th...Mary, your post made me laugh. And miss you all the more. It's been fun to have my opinions challenged. Why DO I feel that way about TV? What are my inherent biases? How am I insensitive to the needs of other people vastly different than me? While debating almost always makes each side more firmly convinced that they are right, it is useful to flesh out our stances on something and consider negatives to our stance that we hadn't before. And I think we're doing a good job of having a non-threatening, non-ad hominem debate. I can't handle too much conflict anyway. I hate normal arguing.<br /><br />I like that your debating skills are enhanced by your rhetorical studies. I was especially impressed with your aggregated list of the issues. Very impressed. That's synthesis right there. Also a very good rhetorical tactic to make the opposition feel like you have at least acknowledged their position by repeating what they are arguing. Does that make sense? Wish I could have taken those rhetoric classes with you.<br /><br />We can stop the debate whenever you want (don't want it to get old), or we can start a new one.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for the meta-discussion on the debate. You're a pal. A brilliant, kind one.Jamie Zvirzdinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04637747488218217995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4716342550760162208.post-61835480879116049062011-09-25T12:07:36.183-07:002011-09-25T12:07:36.183-07:00I identify with that impulse to play devil's a...I identify with that impulse to play devil's advocate. So, did you argue that TV is a waste of time or a useful relaxation exercise?Rachel Helpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01014437332813141047noreply@blogger.com