Laws of the Lounge Lizards

[Pilgrim]

Hi guys.

Figured we'd chat up the laws here so there isn't any confusion, and no one thinks I'm being arbitrary.

First, The lounge is here for fun... so have fun. Post funny Pictures, Rant, Post Video links, toss out some fun news items, Have fun! However do it with the thought that Gamershaven is a Family Store, and as such this is a family site!

First, Obvious... No swearing... If you are going to post a link with swearing in it please add an appropriate warning so people who are not interested in seeing it, or are at work where it would be inappropriate, can avoid it.

Second, No Links to sites with Nudity, or ads for Pornographic sites... ever.

Third. [P] has been nuked from orbit. you can't play nice you can't play at all.

Forth. Be civil. This is in all things. If you are trolling, or trying to be intentionally insulting expect that post to be removed. This is a place for fun and communication, if you are so small that you can't do that without being insulting... then don't bother.

Fifth. We're all here at the will of the Rob. That includes me. If you ever have a problem with anything I do in here, please report it on up to the Rob... It's his house, and his rules override any rule I have.

And mostly have fun!

[papaThunder]

Rule number six: If spoken aloud Rule Number Six will cause the fine tissues in your nose to expand rapidly... causing a massive hemorrhage of nose blood and Bugger fluid...

Sad really

[PURGATUS]

oh... never knew what that [P] was for... good info.

also, i thought rule #1 and 2 were 'we don't talk about lounge club!'

[Pilgrim]

Simple laws for Civilized Debate:

ala Dale:




Shall we recap those rhetorical tools to avoid for civilized debate? I'm guilty of them too...its almost unavoidable as the exact opposite is taught every day in our media. But it helps to recall, if only for that little inside voice to heed now and then.
1) Ad hominem - "To the man"
-- When arguing an issue, argue against the point stated, not the person stating it. There's a world of difference between saying, "You're an idiot" and "I question the wisdom of your position". Or "You're a fascist for saying that" versus "I find that position to be very offensive."
Debate is to resolve issues in a civil manner, not to score points before the mob like you're on Jerry Springer.

2) Law of the Occluded Middle
-- This is the one just illustrated above. In this bad argument, only the extremes are presented, and no middle ground is given credence. For instance, most talk radio frames an opponent as either a "gun-toting hick fascist" or a "tree-hugging bleeding heart liberal." No compromise is allowed by these arguments, so none is ever reached.
ALWAYS look for the middle ground instead, it is usually also the High Ground.

3) Straw Man
-- This is the most common by far, and we're all guilty. This is where an improbable scenario is constructed based on an argument, and because the scenario is absurd, the argument is made to seem absurd.
It also falls into the logical Non Sequitur (Does not follow) category. If the you are angry, and Hitler is angry, therefore you are Hitler.
A common debate example I see is, "Well, if we allow gays to marry, what's next? Someone having sex with a horse in public?" One does not follow from the other, no more than "Every Car that gets worse than 20 MPG is at fault for Hurricane Katrina."
The absurd effect may have a relation to the argument, but the association is made to seem all-encompassing when it is clearly not (to a rational being).
When the urge strikes for an extreme comparison, you can keep the direction of the comparison, just dial it back down to reasonable levels.
Again, you're here to discuss more or less rationally, not score points.