I don’t think we need to be welcoming to liberals. Debate doesn’t work to change anyone’s mind, and everywhere else on the internet is filled with “free speech” complainers who think their ignorant ideas have an equal right to be heard in a socialist forum.

"debate" is for the audience

[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It’s only good for entertainment. I doubt anyone ever had their mind changed from watching a debate. If anything it just normalizes bad stances by crowding out the good ones (gish gallop but not necessarily intentional).

A ton of brain cycles are wasted on the mental gymnastics required for understanding liberalism

[–] SootySootySoot@hexbear.net 4 points 1 week ago

I can't say it's certainly common, but I personally, and at least a couple friends, have changed my mind on things by seeing debates.

[–] TreadOnMe@hexbear.net 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Shouting at each other on forums is not actually a debate though. Online forums ape a debate, but an actual debate requires strict moderation, a limited scope, and timed responses.

And this is besides the point that in a debate, it isn't usually the best idea that wins, but the best rhetorician, as has been pointed out as far back as Socrates. If anything, a forum discussion or dialogue is more informative to the average person than a debate, but those are best done in person while mildly intoxicated.