There is a difference in community discussion and disrespectful name calling. Communication requires listening too. It seems like you all just come her to post your opinion, wait for an opposing view, then pounce but never trying to understand a different point of view. I don't have any issue with an occasional respective jab but it's like some here on the CF thrive on hatred and conflict. It's the straight out hatred for fellow bowhunters with a different opinion I can't stand. It's exhausting... I come here because I want to hear other bowhunters points-of-view because I want to understand others prospective. I think it makes you a better person to hear all sides...Fox news, MSNBC, CNN, NPR, etc.
Spike and JTV...why do you come to the CF? I'm honestly curious why you like the CF. No BS. What do you get out of this?
Jimbo I'm going to respectfully disagree. It can change and would if we will do our part to make it happen. I've been on here longer than most I believe. I have watched the degree of debate go down like a ship at sea the last few years. We used to have the liberal element that could (and would), make their points in a reasonable fashion. Granted the points weren't right much of the time (OK, almost all the time), but they were coherent, civil and well written. We had the conservative faction that could (and would) respond in an equally civil fashion even while ripping the liberal points to shreds. There was little name calling, and most of it was done in fun. Posts were seldom vulgar in nature of the response. Not a lot of minds were changed then either, but we had respect for each other. Some of us even met for a live debate between our leading conservative (who was from Tennessee), and our main liberal our of California. Neither one is with us today, one got disgusted at the treatment he was receiving towards the end, and the other sadly passed away not too long after the debate,
We had a lot of fun back then, shared a lot of good information, and even gave each other things to think about and an insight into the other's way of thinking. I am saddened by the actions and words of some on here (all sides), and yet glad there are some that hold themselves above the pettiness of others. Socrates made a good point with the quote Kevin shared and this topic reminded me of a phrase we used to hear on here quite a bit which most of you won't remember: "What would Tennbow say?"
KPC walking into the Dollar General
Love that initial Socrates quote. A good thing to keep in mind for sure. Point blank, I do find the opinions of others here helpful. It makes me seek out info and review ideas that I may not have otherwise. Even if I try to seek out ideas different from my own, other folks will always come up with different angles or corridors of thought to consider. That's awesome!
I'm a newbie to the CF, historically I've focused my (excessive) bowsite time on the state forums and now and then the main hunting page. But, despite suspecting I should duck and cover for my fairly left of center ;) social view of the world, I've found my brief time on here helpful.
When you personalize a debate it's no longer a debate, it's a shouting match and it's a matter of which side can drown out the other; right vs wrong, fact vs fiction become irrelevant and learning opportunities are squandered.
For any who would counter that diametrically opposed parties are unlikely to change one another's views I'd offer that you're missing the point completely; you articulate in a fact-based, dispassionate manner YOUR views for all those "on the fence"; that's the crowd that's still persuadable and the one most likely to change a position when the debate is reasoned and well posited.
Bowfight?
hehehe
Grey Ghost's Link
I couldn't agree more with you on this topic....even though there is no actual evidence that Socrates ever said your original quote.
;-)
Matt
Grey Ghost's Link
Hey, a good quote is a good quote, whoever came up with it.
It was asked earlier if Socrates was a liberal. I found that question interesting, so I Googled up this link. It's purely philosophical conjecture, and most here won't read it all, but I think you and a few others may enjoy it.
Matt
