20th May 2004, 10:14 PM
Okay. Let's take a random para-example of when you and I get into an argument. This is how it usually goes.
One of us lights the fire. I make a post on abortion, you make a post about saving the lives of murderers instead. The discussion is on.
Somewhere along the line, inevitably, it goes from a discussion and into point/counterpoint megapost territory. Usually, several totally deviating discussions come out of this.
You disagree with me. I disagree with you. This goes on, sometimes for many, many weeks.
Eventually, two things happen. First, we begin to repeat ourselves more and more, and second, the posts get too large and complex to handle. Then entropy sets in; the process starts to deteriorate. By this point we're making subtle insults about each other as much, if not more often, than we are trying to forward the points we originally tried to make.
Then, usually, we kill the argument the old-fashioned way: We agree to disagree. Sometimes, we don't even quite do that, one of us just stops. Regardless, we part ways until one of us starts it again.
Arguments can end without somebody losing an eye.
One of us lights the fire. I make a post on abortion, you make a post about saving the lives of murderers instead. The discussion is on.
Somewhere along the line, inevitably, it goes from a discussion and into point/counterpoint megapost territory. Usually, several totally deviating discussions come out of this.
You disagree with me. I disagree with you. This goes on, sometimes for many, many weeks.
Eventually, two things happen. First, we begin to repeat ourselves more and more, and second, the posts get too large and complex to handle. Then entropy sets in; the process starts to deteriorate. By this point we're making subtle insults about each other as much, if not more often, than we are trying to forward the points we originally tried to make.
Then, usually, we kill the argument the old-fashioned way: We agree to disagree. Sometimes, we don't even quite do that, one of us just stops. Regardless, we part ways until one of us starts it again.
Arguments can end without somebody losing an eye.
YOU CANNOT HIDE FOREVER
WE STAND AT THE DOOR
WE STAND AT THE DOOR