Monday, January 11, 2010

5 Ways To Lose/Win An Argument On-line

Shaun Groves:
Over the years of online debate and discussion I’ve made enough mistakes to compile this short list of do’s and don’ts. It’s certainly not complete so please share your own.

5 Ways To Lose (Even If You Win):

1. USE ALL CAPS AND EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Generalize and stereotype
3. Exaggerate
4. Assume
5. Bring up Hitler

5 Ways To Win (Even If You Lose):

1. Take the discussion offline over e-mail, phone or (gasp) face to face
2. Say “I Don’t Know”, “I’m sorry” and “Thank you”
3. Don’t write anything you wouldn’t want your mama, your spouse, your pastor and the police to see
4. Admit when you’re wrong and encourage when she’s right
5. Discuss ideas, not people

2 comments:

Ben Mordecai said...

I would add, under the majority of circumstances "Avoid sarcasm"

Unknown said...

darn, ...i use Hitler all the time when I'm demonstrating the logical conclusion of a subjective cultural morality claim....