Is that sarcasm or is that a serious post? I disagree with what it says about online debates. In particular:
1. Never indulge the desire to ridicule. People who "win" online debates do so by posting calm and well-researched posts. You have to trust your target audience to recognize that.
2. You aren't trying to get a concession out of your foes. People go from liberal to conservative but it takes years or decades, not minutes or hours. Instead you are trying to sway the swing voter and to plant a seed or two in more reasonable opponents.
3. Research! Most online debates consist of people saying the same thing back and forth in a slightly different way. I hate debates that turn into dueling research studies, but finding census date on rates of out-of-wedlock childbirths and poverty are a heck of a lot more convincing than a liberal consistently saying that blacks are poor because of racism or underfunded schools.
My take is that it is sarcasm with a serious point to make...kind of like what not to do if you are serious about the debate.
must be for DUmies.
I've been in a few heated online debates myself, and although folks can be passionate, its not neccesarily the flame-out match this guy describes (which usually get zotted).
Another thing he missed is the best way to handle nasty accusations is to "agree" 110% with a twist of light heareted of humor alluding to facts the attacker is avoiding. This works both on and off line.
***Instead you are trying to sway the swing voter and to plant a seed or two in more reasonable opponents. ***
Precisely! When I'm up against a "professional" debater on FR, I tell him that I'm not interested in what he thinks, but I respond just once and for one reason only--that some newbie who really wants to learn the truth might read what I have to say. FR is NOT about winning a "debate," but about spreading the truth.