Debate and Discussion Stream

[iustitia]

Hey guys, been quiet for a while. I'm posting to announce a joint discussion-debate club I'm forming with other members here and some other friends, and am probing to see who would be interested.

The plan is to create a group of contacts using the Zoom app/program which allows for mass-group video and audio streaming. We can have either pre-chosen topics to discuss or less formal talk where users can bring up what they'd like. It has been recommended to me that we vote on topics beforehand, which I have no issue with.

Ultimately to keep things from going poorly people would need to agree to basic rules like no personal attacks/ad hominems, with an active discouragement of logical fallacies. Though joking around wouldn't be looked down on in a group discussion. And of course with Zoom you can protect your anonymity with a pseudonym and use an avatar should you not want to show your face.

If you're interested it'd be great to count you guys as a part of this. If you have suggestions, concerns or questions too I'm all ears. I have my opinions as we all do but I also would make clear that I will entertain anyone's beliefs or ideas so long as they're willing to defend them.
@Mister D @Chris @Peter1469

[Peter1469]

I'm in.

[Mister D]

Sounds like it might be fun.

[Lummy]

What does this offer that isn't already offered here?

[Chris]

What does this offer that isn't already offered here?

Synchronous or "live" communication. A forum like this is asynchronous, you might ask a question and I might answer 10 minutes or 10 hours later. AMT, I'm unsure how that will work out.

[iustitia]

What does this offer that isn't already offered here?

Synchronous or "live" communication. A forum like this is asynchronous, you might ask a question and I might answer 10 minutes or 10 hours later. AMT, I'm unsure how that will work out.

It also allows people to have a serious conversation and in-depth debates without being bogged down by people who aren't serious or willing to argue in good faith. It also provides a good metric for who has a better argument; when the peddle hits the metal in a live conversation you can generally tell who's informed and who isn't the longer the conversation goes on, whereas on a forum people will drag out topics or avoid responding altogether; getting into a live conversation requires the commitment of the people involved and discourages trolls from wasting everyone's time. On top of that it's actually a useful tool for people to strengthen their debating and speaking skills and can expose weaknesses people should work on improving.