I need Some help ...I'm a builder.

Hey,

I was told in the "Ask the Administrators" Forum that this wouldn't be a problem, so here goes.

I'm a new poster here, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about debating. The reason I am interested is because I am creating a debate project labeled "Volconvo". I tremble as I type because I don't want people to call me a spammer or whatever; some guy called me a troll because of my sig :( Nonetheless I am aware of the intelligence level here as far as debate goes, so I want some help!

I want to know what you think I should do as a builder to attract a diverse and educated audience to my project. It's only been going for 4 days, so I want to take careful steps to prevent the obvious slew of hate and misinformation that most forums and communities get.

I'm only asking here because after reading this site posts, and seeing the huge welcome I received here not to long ago, I really value the opinion of most people here. Not because I agree with everything you all say, but rather I agree with how you say it. I don't see tons of flames and such.

Thanks,
Sean
Sean@Volconvo.com

asking us to help you with? DU is the most helpful place on the internet......you should get lots of responses when we know what you are asking.....

:-)'s

Ok, I am a poly-sci student who craves debate. I have created a project called Volconvo as stated.

A little background:


I crave education. I love when I can go in thinking one thing and come out considering something else. I know other people do to.

I just was wondering pretty much what you, as intelligent debaters would do if you were in my shoes (creating a debate concept that brings all sides to the table). I want to avoid the uneducated posters who crave profanity, and I want to attract the crowds of dedicated political/philosophical debaters.

My goal is to get people thinking about their backgrounds...it's always been my goal.

So in summary...I need some suggestions on how I should avoid the common flame wars associated with a diverse community...we're only days old as I've said, so I want to keep it all in check.

Hope I've been clear; I'm trying to express ideas in words that really are beyond my vocab ;)

If you're still confused tell me

. . . is for all participants to agree to a set of norms - or better yet, they actually create the norms - and enforce them vigorously. That takes lots of time.

For example, a group norm might be that all participants must eschew ad hominem arguments. Once they appear, the poster may be reprimanded and/or canned. The only way to manage that is if someone is available to moderate continuously. It only takes a moment for a flamewar to start - especially during the peak online periods.

I think it works pretty well here because we do have mods present.

Good luck with your project.

http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/

A collection of logical fallacies and tactics people use when arguing.

If you are going to Mod this project of yours be sure to be tough but fair, dont allow Freepers or distruptors. Dont allow invective, and be sure to let people know you wont tolerate flame wars.

about?????

was I clear KoKo01?

Best source for debating that I learned from is the concepts of CRITICAL THINKING. Google on 'critical thinking.'

Good luck. I agree that DU can be a really helpful community. If anyone accuses you of being a freep or troll or any other personal attack, your best option is to use the alert button. This notifies the mods and it's better to let the mods handle those types of responses, rather than getting into a 'peeing' contest with someone over a comment.

Welcome to DU.

:toast:

Rick

thanks, I'll check it out :)

I don't really have any advice to offer,but I clicked on your link and think it's a cool site! I love the premise. I've posted on tons of message boards and and I've made one observation,although I suppose you could draw more then one possible conclusion. Anyway,my observation has been that those that try the hardest to control content seem to have the most problems with flames. There's a fine line between controlling a boards content,and setting the tone for a boards content. People seem to rebel against the first,but eagerly seek to cooperate when it comes to the second.

Like I said though..it's just my own personal observation so it may not even be accurate. Good luck with your project and I hope you don't mind if I use your link to drop by once in awhile!

Mind? please do! I'd love for some of the people here to fend of some of the conservative stuff I've been reading the past 4 days on my site ;) ...just don't tell them that; I'm supposed to be unbiased :)

there are probably some trolls that may already be here. I checked out your site too and offer my compliments, I will probably stop by there as well. By the way, any critical thinker would know that you would have to be liberal there because a conservative does not encourage open discussion with a wide range of opinions allowed.

on edit: 10 thumbs and spelin

hmm....good point...