GuitarBizarre

I'd argue that there's also a few members around who don't seem to get the idea of discussion.

The first two posts in this link are kind of my position on it - http://www.musicbanter.com/indie-alt...zer-why-3.html

I'm not singling out Ki here - plenty of other people do this, and I find it selfish, hollow and disingenuous.

Simply put, people, particularly senior members, or people who want to "turn the forum around", need to take into account the following -

1 - Your opinion is your opinion. Nobody can take away your right to have it.
2 - You can voice it whenever you like
3 - If you choose to voice it, you're doing more than simply holding that opinion. You're placing that opinion into an open field where others can make of it what they will, and expecting them to take it seriously.
4 - If you're placing your opinion into that field, you should do so in the knowledge or expectation that you will be expected to explain it, justify it, and/or defend it if someone disagrees.
5- If you refuse to explain, elaborate upon, justify, or defend the opinion you placed into the open discussion, then you simply are not contributing to that discussion, in fact you actively detract from it by diverting the efforts of others into the black hole and void of debate that your opinion subsequently forms.

It is everyone's right to have an opinion. It is nobodies right to expect others to lay down their opinions in the face of your own, for the sake of not creating a fuss or offending you by asking you to debate with them or elaborate. Say what you want to say, but say it with the conviction and confidence of being able to hold up your end of the bargain that is "discussion", else don't say it, merely continue to think it.

Debate, disagreement, even argument, are not evil and not to be avoided at all costs. They're healthy methods for refining and rethinking positions, thoughts, and opinions. They're the basis of what we discuss here. If you're not prepared to get into those things with others, you're on the wrong website. Hell, you're on the wrong TYPE of website.

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