Olly wrote:To me debating is fun and an intellectual activity. Some of my favorite people to debate on here have been some of the smartest ones, like Assa. I don't even really mind losing in a debate as long as I lose because the other guy presented an intelligent and well laid out argument.
That's what I forget that some people see it as win or lose. I see it as a search for the truth.
I do this most every day as part of my job. It's generally easier in person. There is no other way really to discuss complex issues, especially ones where opinions and value judgments are such a big part of it.
It may not seem like it, but I really do care what other people's opinions are which is often why I press people to clarify their opinion. A lot of people don't like that.
I think my german lineage shines through.
http://knowledge.insead.edu/blog/insead-blog/the-most-productive-ways-to-disagree-across-cultures-3936This exchange vividly demonstrates why the Germans, along with the French, Dutch and Danish are on the confrontational side of the disagreeing scale. On the other side stand the Chinese, and even more so, the Japanese, Thai and Indonesian.